Cowboys place franchise tag on Dak Prescott

(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The Dallas Cowboys have placed an executive franchise tag on quarterback Dak Prescott.

Prescott was one of the best bargains in the NFL last season with a base salary of $2 million.

He and the Cowboys have been negotiating on a new contract for months. The team reportedly made him a huge offer but he declined to sign a deal before last season, betting he would have a great year.

The franchise tag keeps him with the team for an estimated $31.5 million while the sides continue working on a long-term deal.

The Cowboys announced the decision about an hour before Monday’s 11 a.m. deadline. Otherwise, Prescott would have become a free agent.

The Cowboys also considered using the franchise tag on receiver Amari Cooper, who was a free agent. He has been the Cowboys' top receiver since the team acquired him in a trade with the Oakland Raiders in 2018.

Cooper has reportedly agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract deal.

The older labor deal would have allowed the team to tag both players. The new rules do not.