DALLAS — Here we go...
Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys reached a historic contract extension deal hours before the team kicks off in Game 1 against the Cleveland Browns.
The deal, a $240 million, four-year contract extension, makes Prescott the highest-paid player in NFL history. He will earn $60 million per year, $5 million more than previous record-setters.
The news lit up social media Sunday, alongside news of Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill being detained ahead of his home opener and Kenrick Lamar confirming he will perform at the Super Bowl Half Time show this season. All-in-all, Sunday is proving to be an exciting start to the season.
Here's how analysts, insiders, former players and others reacted to the new Dak contract news on social media -- right around the time when Prescott arrived at the Browns stadium on Sunday, in fact.
NFL world reacts to Dak Prescott's new contract
Robert Griffin III was the first current or former player to sound off about the deal on X Sunday, saying that Prescott's contract was "earned" and helps all NFL players.
"Standing on business in negotiations to get the most money isn’t just about that player, it’s about advancing the pay ceiling for all players," Griffin wrote. "LOVE IT.'
Meanwhile, Prescott's agent, Todd France, posted about the historic contract on his Instagram Feed on Sunday: "Dak Prescott is the highest-paid player in NFL history… so incredibly proud of this man and I couldn’t be happier for him and his family!"
France also posted a picture of a celebratory Facetime with Prescott on his Instagram Story:
TV sports personality Skip Bayless -- both a Cowboys fan and frequent critic -- reacted to the news in a series of social media posts of his own on Sunday. Bayless criticized Prescott's playoff performances -- and further described himself as "stuck with Dak."
"Jerry Jones took me right up to zero hour making me think he would actually have the vision & guts to make Dak play w/o a new deal this season and PROVE HIMSELF, even if it meant risking losing him to free agency," Bayless wrote. "But Jerry didn't have (as he says) the 'tolerance for ambiguity.'"
Bob Sturm of The Ticket also reacted to the news by pointing out the signing's broader impact on QB 1 contracts across the league.
"96.25% guaranteed! The sound you just heard was 30 other owners pounding their desk in anger for they know that QB1 is now a guaranteed deal moving forward for anyone with leverage," Sturm wrote.
Others, including David Helman, the national Cowboys' beat writer for FOX Sports, revealed they were interested to see what would've happened if the contract dispute played out through March.
"(It) would’ve been fun to see the offers, and maybe we find out who’s holding who back," Helman said. "But it’s also nice to have clarity. Now we can watch this Cowboys season with an eye on the big picture, instead of so much uncertainty."
Others -- and by that we mean many others -- took to social media to compare Dak's contract and performance to other QBs in the league.
Finally, other commenters turned their focus to Cleveland, where Prescott will step onto the field with a new contract in hand -- and the pressure that now comes with being the highest-paid player in the league.
Hey, pressure is a privilege, Dak!
