With a large amount of salary cap room and a desire for a franchise quarterback, Nick Wright of FS1 predicts a big acquisition for the New England Patriots.
Wright proposed that in 2025, following the last year of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s four-year, $160 million contract, the Patriots might sign Prescott. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Prescott and the Cowboys have decided not to extend his contract with the organization in 2025.
Wright sees the Patriots using a trade and a “Plan B” strategy to sign Prescott in 2025 because they control the No. 3 pick in the draft the following month. Wright detailed the Patriots’ 2019 salary cap and how a deal might result in Prescott being signed later.
Wright stated, “The Patriots are on the books for $200 million in cap space next year,” on Thursday’s episode of “First Things First.” “Whatever happens, what if the Patriots trade the pick three? Especially with Drake Maye in there, who seems to be loved even more.”
Wright added, “Say he’s traded to Minnesota for [picks] 11 and 23 and whatever [else]. “We’re going to sign Dak Prescott. We’re going to draft one of the mini-stud wide receivers in this class at 23 and draft a tackle there, whether it’s Joe Alt Allese Fuaga.”
Wright went on, “He’s an unrestricted free agent.” “The issue facing the Cowboys and many other teams is realizing that they will need to pay him $60 million annually, which will need to be backloaded due to space constraints.”
Accordingly, it will cost roughly $30 million, followed by $65 and $70 million, Wright said. If we were the Patriots, we wouldn’t need to take that action. If we so want, we could execute the unusual front-loaded arrangement in which the cap hit is $75 million in the first year before declining.
Wright listed the Detroit Lions ($136.7 million) and the Washington Commanders ($32.59 million) as the teams with salary cap space that is equivalent to the Patriots for 2025. He said that by 2025, both teams will have franchise quarterbacks. Wright said that at that moment, all eight of the clubs in the top eight will have established quarterbacks and half the cap room of the Patriots.
Regarding the Patriots’ fictitious pursuit of Prescott, Wright remarked, “You’re building the team, you’re building the culture [and] the Cowboys couldn’t stop you.” “He will be accessible. The teams who have cap room will not be the first in line for him.
Is that what the Patriots have planned? Next season, trade down and begin to construct the club, establish a culture, and start an older, more experienced quarterback, according to Wright.
Once a Mississippi State player selected in the fourth round in 2016, Prescott became an instant star in his first season with the Cowboys. He has guided the Cowboys to five postseason berths and earned three trips to the Pro Bowl along the way.
