Report: Cowboys to make push for Dak extension, will use tag again

It appears the Dallas Cowboys have no intention of letting Dak Prescott hit the open market.

The Cowboys will make a push to sign the quarterback to a long-term contract prior to the March 9 franchise-tag deadline, sources told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Dallas will reportedly use the one-year tender worth $37.7 million on the pending free agent if a deal can't be reached.

The two parties are still not close to a new contract, with "plenty of work" needed if they are to come to terms, sources told Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The Cowboys tried to sign Prescott to an extension last offseason but failed to reach an agreement prior to the July 15 deadline for tagged players to sign multi-year deals, forcing the signal-caller to play on the $31.4-million tender.

Prescott suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in a Week 5 win over the New York Giants and underwent season-ending surgery.

The 27-year-old had a previously unknown second procedure in early December to "strengthen his deltoid ligament, clean out the ankle, and make it more structurally sound," added Rapoport and Pelissero.

Prescott reportedly underwent the follow-up surgery to clear up past issues with his ankle, not because of any complications with his October injury. The quarterback is expected to be ready for the 2021 season.

Dallas apparently has no medical concerns with making Prescott one of the NFL's highest-paid players.

The former fourth-round pick was on pace to break Peyton Manning's single-season passing yards record of 5,477 prior to his injury.