FRISCO, Texas — Time is running out before the Dallas Cowboys and franchise quarterback Dak Prescott can reach an agreement on a contract extension before the start of the season. Prescott made his “it speaks volumes whether it is or not” comment last week about Sunday’s soft deadline.

While he said on Thursday that he “can’t say I have the same feelings as last week” regarding closing a deal by Sunday, he did say it could be a relief if it were done, as all outside distractions ahead of the season would be removed.

“Maybe from a team perspective, yeah,” Prescott said. “You know, I’ve always said how present I can be, but I understand not everyone is able to be. There could certainly be benefits to that. But at the end of the day, there’s a lot that comes with moving parts of a contract. I know both sides are working.”

It’s no news or secret that both parties are working together, but is there a sense of urgency behind the work to get it done before the start of the season?

“I would say they work,” he said. “I don’t know if that’s necessarily the timeline. I can’t say I’m going to give Todd and Stephen a timeline if we can’t get this, this or that done, but I know they work.”

Speaking of work, Prescott said he will “still be working” if the Cowboys and his representation can’t come to an agreement before the start of the season. For him, there’s still a big goal in mind that applies to this season and any potential campaign beyond 2024.

“That’s what drives me to be here, honestly, to be the quarterback that does it,” Prescott said. “That wins it. I don’t think winning anywhere else would be the same as winning here. That’s A-No. 1 in the desire to be here, to be honest with you.”

There’s a sense of camaraderie in the locker room heading into this crucial season for the future direction of the franchise, as Prescott isn’t the only one entering a contract year. Whether it’s veterans like Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence and Brandin Cooks or role players like Osa Odighizuwa and Jourdan Lewis, a number of players can put themselves in Prescott’s shoes from an expiring contract standpoint.

“Everybody, if we all look at the last year of our deal personally, it’s going to create a little bit of that,” he said. “But if you look to the left or the right and there’s so many people in that situation, I think it becomes a little bit easier to grab on and put those arms around each other and say it’s up to us to change that, to make it different, to be here next year.”

Even in the spirit of a new year just days away for Prescott and the Cowboys, all the outside focus remains on just that: next year and beyond. But for him and those around him heading into Sunday, Mike McCarthy’s “Rooted” message might be just what’s needed.

“I loved it,” Prescott said. “A guy talking about being where my feet are, it goes to my roots. It goes to my mom. It goes to my brothers. That’s why I love this game. This game is rooted in me.”