Shortly before the Dallas Cowboys began the 2024 NFL season with a W, media reports confirmed that the franchise had — at long last — reached an agreement on a contract extension with star quarterback Dak Prescott. It’s a record-breaking deal that makes Prescott the first player in NFL history to collect a $60 million annual salary, and the announcement led Dallas fans to sigh in relief following a nervous wait for news about Dak.

With the new contract finalized, Prescott then led the Cowboys to a season-opening victory over the Cleveland Browns. The NFL’s reigning touchdown pass leader threw only one on Sunday, but the Dallas defense forced two turnovers and limited the Browns to just 230 total yards in a 33-17 win.

Never a doubt in Dallas

Following the three-score victory, Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb tried to encapsulate Prescott’s importance to the franchise and why his new contract was an obligation for Dallas owner/general manager Jerry Jones.

Where some players would be more interested in discussing their own performances, Lamb — who also recently signed a new contract with the Cowboys — wanted to gush over Prescott’s qualities as a teammate, a leader, and an on-field coach. Lamb said Prescott is someone who “checks all the boxes” — without the star QB, Lamb‘s career year in 2023 might not have been possible.

For Prescott himself, the first person with whom he celebrated was running back Ezekiel Elliott — with whom he came into the NFL in 2016. Elliott, who rushed for a touchdown on Sunday to kick off his second stint with the Cowboys, “wouldn’t let” Prescott pay for anything when the pair entered the league, and it seems that the signal-caller is now ready to return the favor with Elliott on a one-year contract.