“He’s one of the best leaders I’ve ever known,” said executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones. “He’s the right guy for us.”

Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones shares this view.

“I’m glad it happened,” the Hall of Fame owner said. “This was a moment where it was ready for us to do it. We were ready for it and it was critical. I’ve seen so many things that were worth doing that didn’t get done because you missed the timing to make it happen. Opening Day, here against Cleveland, this was a great moment to make it happen.

“I think we all felt a little bit of energy to come in and get to a point where we could say yes. I’ve always known what a great player Dak is, and I’m glad everyone understands that I understand that.”

That’s putting it mildly, considering the All-Pro quarterback and 2023 NFL MVP runner-up received a four-year contract worth more than $240 million, including a record $231 million in guaranteed money.

“What the guaranteed money represents is a big commitment for the next five years to our future, if you want to call it that,” Jerry Jones said. “There are a lot of people who think Dak is our quarterback for the rest of my time. It’s not just limited to the terms of this contract.”

That’s an extremely profound statement that may escape some, but it does underscore that Prescott is already in line for a potential third mega-deal in the future. That will, of course, be determined by how the next five years unfold, now also involving All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb through the 2028 season.

According to Jones, this marriage is a two-way street and all signs point to an optimistic future where the Cowboys can avoid the infamous QB purgatory.

“Dak makes a commitment to us,” Jones added. “I think that’s pretty special. I think you have to be someone special to deserve what we’ve done with him here, and I think he is. … I have a lot of confidence in him.

“He brings so much. He is someone who follows the team.”

And they will continue to do so for a long time to come.