Nick Wright, a co-host of *First Things First* on Fox Sports, has often shared his strong opinions on the Dallas Cowboys and their quarterback, Dak Prescott. One of his more notable discussions revolved around Prescott’s contract negotiations, where Wright made bold predictions that turned out to be inaccurate. During Prescott’s protracted contract talks with the Cowboys in 2019-2020, Wright repeatedly expressed skepticism about Prescott’s value, predicting that Dallas might regret paying him like a top-tier quarterback. He argued that Prescott’s performance didn’t merit a massive deal and even suggested the Cowboys should consider other options.
Wright’s projections were proven wrong when, in March 2021, the Cowboys signed Prescott to a massive 4-year, $160 million deal, including $126 million guaranteed. The deal made Prescott one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL at the time. Contrary to Wright’s predictions, Prescott’s contract aligned with the evolving quarterback market, where even solid starters command high salaries due to the premium placed on the position.
Wright’s miscalculation highlights the difficulty of predicting NFL contract trends, especially for quarterbacks. While some doubted Prescott’s ability to command a significant deal, Dallas clearly viewed him as their franchise player. Prescott’s injury in 2020 complicated the discussions but ultimately did not prevent him from securing the lucrative extension.
Nick Wright’s incorrect projections serve as a reminder that even seasoned analysts can misjudge how NFL teams will approach their key players’ contracts, particularly in a quarterback-driven league like the NFL.
