Cowboys Hall of Famer Charles Haley weighs in on Dak Prescott contract talks, says Jerry Jones is 'screwed'

The 2024 season may be the last for quarterback Dak Prescott as a Dallas Cowboys star. Holding an immense amount of leverage over his team, Prescott could choose to take his contract negotiations into next offseason, leaving Jerry Jones and his front office with little choice but to move on or dish out a massive payday for the veteran.

One former Cowboys star who would like to see the team hold on to the former fourth-rounder is Hall of Famer Charles Haley. Haley spoke to Kay Adams this week about the situation with the franchise quarterback, telling her that Dallas should find a way to trade him.

“Trade Dak,” Haley said on Up & Adams. “Just put him up for the trade. Guess what? Every team in the league would be after him. Every team in the league. Dak is a winner. Dak is a great person, a great leader. I know him. I go up there all the time.”

Unfortunately for the Cowboys, it’s not as simple as finding a trading partner for Prescott. The quarterback has a no-trade clause, which means he would have to waive that part of his contract in order for the team to move him.

As far as who is to blame for the team’s current predicament, Haley put it on the team owner – Jerry Jones. Jones has to find a way to pay CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons within the next two years, and that’s after signing Trevon Diggs to a deal that ranks in the top-five for cornerbacks last year.

“He kept back-loading everything,” Haley said of Jones. “So now, he’s screwed. … His bill came due, and he doesn’t have the money to be able to (pay everyone). And so he’s going to have to find another way around the salary cap. … He gambled a long time, and now time is up.”

Ideally, Haley would like to see Dallas hold on to each one of its stars. He especially likes the connection between Prescott and Lamb after the two combined for the most receptions in the league last season.

“CeeDee Lamb is a quiet guy, a leader,” Haley said. “He wants the ball. He’s (like) Jerry Rice. … And so, how do you how do you not keep those guys together?”

Prescott, Cowboys to report to camp in three weeks

The Cowboys will depart from Dallas for Oxnard on July 22-23 and camp will not wrap up until August 22. During that time, they’ll hold team practices, joint practices, a scrimmage and three preseason games, including two on the road.

The day for both veterans and rookies to report to camp is July 24. Undoubtedly, the team will be anxiously waiting to see whether No. 1 wide receiver CeeDee Lamb opts to join them or hold out for his blockbuster contract extension. Last year, right guard Zack Martin staged a holdout until the team restructured his contract.