'Distractions?' Cowboys' Response to Dak New Contract

FRISCO — Through the first Sunday slate of the NFL season, game results, reactions and off-the-field storylines ran rampant. Ironically, an item somehow lost in the shuffle was the answer to the biggest question of the offseason: the Dallas Cowboys reached an extension with quarterback Dak Prescott.

The Cowboys partially have themselves to blame, sending an emphatic message with a 33-17 domination of the Cleveland Browns. But much about that performance seemed business as usual.

Perhaps that translates to the matter of Prescott's extension as well?

The matter of his deal and future with the franchise dominated the news cycle and remained present through the build up to Week 1, a familiar reality for those involved with the Cowboys.

“We have a little bit of experience with distractions, so we dealt with it,” head coach Mike McCarthy mused.

But he admired his quarterback's handling of the positive news.

"The timing was different, but he (Prescott) handled it well," he added. "We made sure to congratulate him on the development because this is something you have to celebrate. But as soon as we got done, he was locked in.”

Prescott's teammates followed suit. The defense laid waste to a muddled Cleveland offense while the Cowboys simply executed early and got out comfortably without showing too much on the other side of the ball.

Altogether, this was a sight that resembled several Cowboys outings in 2023. They lined up, dominated an inferior opponent and moved on.

Ignoring the playoff loss from months ago, this was merely a continuation of what Dallas put forth in a campaign that ended with a 12-5 record and an NFC East crown.

Related: Staubach's Advice: Jerry Talks 'Big Commitment' To Dak

The orchestration of these types of performances provide the foundation of why Prescott got his big pay day and will presumably lead this franchise throughout the remainder of his prime.

He is leading a mission and nothing about that quest has changed. While it has not come to fruition yet, there remains a vision for this team to reach their heights of old.

The countdown to his extension has ended, but now another timer has begun on Prescott and the Cowboys accomplishing their goals of a sixth Super Bowl. Slowly, that timer has started ticking.