CLEVELAND (AP) — Dak Prescott barely had time to have fun getting the most important contract in NFL historical past earlier than studying it got here with a value.
His Cowboys teammates all need one thing.
“They’re anticipating Rolexes,” Prescott joked. “Everyone’s giving me their wrist measurement.”
Prescott threw a landing move hours after agreeing to a four-year, $240 million contract with Dallas and the Cowboys’ protection roughed up Deshaun Watson in his return, throttling the Cleveland Browns 33-17 of their opener Sunday.
Prescott’s deal makes him the primary participant to common $60 million per season and ends months of hypothesis about his future with the Cowboys, who’ve received 12 video games in every of the previous three years with him.
Earlier this week, Prescott, who was coming off his greatest season and coming into his closing yr underneath contract, stated he desires to be the quarterback to lastly finish the workforce’s Tremendous Bowl drought. He’ll have time to attempt.
“It’s about holding up my finish of the deal,” stated Prescott, who accomplished 19 of 32 passes for 179 yards and spent a lot of the second half stress-free on the sideline.
Prescott was preparing in his lodge room to depart for the stadium when he bought a suprising name from his agent, telling him in regards to the contract. His subsequent transfer was to hug teammate Ezekiel Elliott, whom he credited with serving to him as a younger participant.
“I’m simply tremendous excited for him,” stated Elliott, who had a 3-yard TD run in his first recreation again with the Cowboys. “I see the work he places in day in and day trip, so I couldn’t consider a extra deserving individual to get that contract.”
Prescott threw a 21-yard scoring move to Brandin Cooks within the first quarter and the Cowboys opened a 27-3 lead early within the third on KaVontae Turpin’s 60-yard punt return TD.
Brandon Aubrey kicked subject objectives of 57, 50, 46 and 40 yards for Dallas.
Prescott’s deal got here simply two weeks after the Cowboys gave extensive receiver CeeDee Lamb a four-year, $136 million contract. Lamb sat out all of coaching camp earlier than the perimeters reached an settlement.
“We’ve got a bit of little bit of expertise with distractions, so we handled it,” coach Mike McCarthy stated with fun. “The timing was totally different, however he dealt with it effectively. We made positive to congratulate him on the event as a result of that is one thing you need to have fun. However as quickly as we bought achieved, he was locked in.”
Watson performed for the primary time since breaking a bone in his proper shoulder in November. Cleveland’s QB didn’t play through the preseason and the Browns’ new-look offense didn’t look superb with him operating it.
Watson was sacked six instances, intercepted twice and the 28-year-old wasn’t sharp. He had a number of overthrows, held the ball too lengthy on some performs and infrequently seemed snug because the Cowboys blanketed his receivers.
He completed 24 of 45 for 169 yards in simply his thirteenth recreation for Cleveland since signing a $230 million totally assured deal in 2022.
At halftime, the Browns trailed by 17, had only one first down and have been being outgained 216-54.
“They got here out and hit us within the face on each side,” stated Browns Professional Bowl guard Joel Bitonio. “It was disappointing.”
On Dallas’ first scoring drive, Prescott confirmed lovely contact whereas connecting with Lamb on a 34-yard completion down the correct sideline.
Prescott was practically intercepted on the subsequent play, however then lofted his first TD move of the season to Cooks, who ran previous flat-footed security Juan Thornhill earlier than making an uncontested seize in the long run zone.
Elliott spent final season doing little with New England earlier than the Cowboys re-signed the two-time dashing champion in April after releasing him in a cost-cutting transfer. The 28-year-old barreled in to provide the Cowboys a 14-3 lead within the second quarter.
The Browns took a 3-0 lead on a 51-yard subject aim by Dustin Hopkins, who has made all 9 kicks past 50 since Cleveland acquired him in a commerce earlier than final season.
Only for kicks
Aubrey appeared to tie Justin Tucker’s NFL document with a 66-yard subject aim within the closing seconds of the primary half. Nevertheless, the boot was worn out because the Cowboys have been known as for delay of recreation regardless of coach Mike McCarthy’s vehement protests.
In his second season from Notre Dame, Aubrey made a 66-yarder through the preseason towards Las Vegas.
Man of the individuals
Browns star finish Myles Garrett shocked followers by exhibiting up at a pregame tailgate within the Muni Lot, the workforce’s notoriously rowdy parking and partying space simply east of the stadium.
The reigning AP Defensive Participant of the Yr led a gaggle of followers in a “Right here we go Brownies” chant. Garrett was joined by Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell.
Accidents
Cowboys: TE Jake Ferguson limped off within the third with a left knee harm after being tackled on a brief completion. McCarthy stated Ferguson may have imaging assessments Monday. … LB Eric Kendricks went out briefly to get fluids, however completed with two sacks and an interception.
Browns: TE David Njoku left within the third quarter with an ankle harm. Njoku, who led Cleveland in receptions and TDs final season, bought damage whereas making a 29-yard catch. … LBs Tony Fields II (ankle) and Mohamoud Diabate (hip) have been each damage.
Up subsequent
Cowboys: Host New Orleans subsequent Sunday.
Browns: At Jacksonville subsequent Sunday.
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