Lever: The NFL’s Next Contract Battle

Brandon Aiyuk has a new deal. Ja’Marr Chase is still hanging on, but he’s under contract for two more seasons. That means we only have one big negotiating battle left: Dak Prescott’s Mega Deal. It’s also getting more stressful by the day.

I just read Saad Yousuf’s story yesterday, where Prescott sounded extremely confident in his position, regardless of what owner Jerry Jones says publicly. That’s because Prescott has all the power:

• Dallas is no stranger to lengthy negotiations (see: Lamb, CeeDee), but this is a new extreme. Prescott is almost certainly getting a huge new extension, and it will likely be the richest in NFL history. Unless something truly drastic happens this year, that contract number is only going to go up a year from now.
• Prescott is 31 and in the prime of his career. He’s coming off his best season yet, when he led the NFL’s all-time scoring offense. His only criticism is his playoff performance, but even without a deep run, he’s still worth that mega-deal. Just imagine how high that number would jump if Dallas could reach the NFC title game for the first time since 1995, let alone win it.
• The annual salary will likely start at a six and could go up to $65 million. Again: the number will increase in the next off-seasonwhen Prescott is a free agent and can really let the market set his price — and then go somewhere else if he wants.

It would be unfathomable to let a top-five QB go. I’ll still be shocked if it happens, but Prescott has sounded adamant that he doesn’t need a new contract before the season starts — which should scare Cowboys fans.

The good bets: Geaux Tigers (attack)

Sure, it was Week 0, but we went 2-0 last week. I want to be five picks above .500 this year. Mark this to make fun of me later.

Two more wins this weekend:

LSU and USC OVER 64.5
I’m taking the easy way out here because my stress level can’t handle betting on LSU to beat a 4.5 point spread, which is what my brain is telling me should happen. So we turn to the defense, or lack thereof — both units were largely terrible last year, and while the Tigers’ outfit needs improvement, I’m counting on a Lincoln Riley offense to score. Crush points with me.

Troy (-8) over Nevada
Yes, we’re going small here in week 1, because this is the best bets, not the most flashy bets. Plus I got this from Austin Mock’s file on this weekend’s best bets anyway. Nevada got a lot of credit this week after staying close to SMU in week 0. We expect regression.

Read more: Expert choices | Full projection model

Overall wrist record: 2-0-0

Watch and listen

📺 CFB: Temple in Oklahoma
7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN
Vegas thinks this will be a huge win for the Sooners, but I’m still eager to see the newest SEC member.

📺 CFB: TCU at Stanford
10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Will any of these teams threaten a playoff spot this year? Probably not. But this is our first chance at a late-night sicko Power 4 game this year. (Big 12 vs. … ACC. Whatever.) Don’t waste the chance.

Buy tickets for these types of matches here.

🎧 See you Saturday previewed tomorrow’s big CFB slate, including picks. Give a warm welcome to new co-host and former Alabama running back Damien Harris. Listen here.