Eagles

Cowboys Use Franchise Tag on Dak Prescott

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Mar 16th, 2020 · 10:42 AM EDT

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Dak Prescott wanted a long-term deal with the Cowboys, but he’s getting the franchise tag instead:

Cowboys placed exclusive franchise tag on QB Dak Prescott, per source. No other team allowed to sign him.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020

There are two types of franchise tags, exclusive and non-exclusive.

Dak gets the exclusive tag, which means he has to be offered a one-year contract that averages the top five salaries at his quarterback position, OR 120% of his previous year’s salary, whichever number is greater. Since Dak is coming off his rookie deal, he’ll trigger the former scenario and not the latter, meaning he earns about $33 million in 2020.

Exclusively tagged players can’t talk to other teams, as Schefter mentions. Non-exclusive means exactly what you think it means. It’s the offer sheet + match routine, since you’re allowed to negotiate elsewhere.

What this now means is that Amari Cooper can test the free agency market, since he’s not tagged. The Eagles could take a sniff there. He earned about $14 million last year and is 26 years old. He could, of course, sign a long-term deal to stay in Dallas as well.

NFL dews like this will be dropping all day long, so at least that’s something to focus on while we’re all self-isolated.