Solution for Dak Prescott vs. Trey Lance QB 'Controversy': Baker Mayfield?

FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys don't know exactly what to pay Dak Prescott in a new contract that would keep him here beyond 2024. But as problematic as that is, they know even less about what to pay Trey Lance should they wish to retain him beyond this season.

Does Baker Mayfield provide the solution?

Solution for Dak Prescott vs. Trey Lance QB 'Controversy': Baker Mayfield?

NFL analyst Bucky Brooks recently offered the thought that Lance could end up being in Dallas what Jordan Love is in Green Bay. Cool. If you knew there was a decent chance of that ... you'd go to Lance right now and attempt to sign him up, right?

Problem: The Packers are right now wrestling with whether to give Love an extension that might approach the "new norm'' of $55 million APY (not unlike the Dak ballpark.)

So ... if Lance realizes he's Love, Dallas is going to pay Trey $55 million APY? That, of course, would be a ridiculous think to do for a prospect who remains largely sight unseen.

How about a different model? In the same segment, our friend NFL Network's Jane Slater - making it clear that she is simply brainstorming on her own - brought up a Baker Mayfield-type contract as a model for Lance in Dallas.

Presumably, she's talking about the new three-year, $100 million deal Mayfield signed with the Bucs as the former top pick (not unlike Lance) has salvaged his career after struggling.

OK, but ... Lance at $30 million APY?

Of course, do that and the Cowboys would be keeping Lance over Dak, at half the price ... while putting their hopes on a young quarterback who hasn't had more than four NFL starts to his name.

What's getting left out of this brainstorming session is that the year before this spring's new Mayfield deal, he was playing on a prove-it deal in Tampa Bay for .... And before that, he was with the Rams, same setup, for ....

So Baker Mayfield took steps - painful and surely self-doubting steps - on the way to his $30 million APY payday. Oh, and Mayfield, who has passed for 20,322 yards with 130 touchdowns and 74 interceptions in his career - also won a division title and a playoff game in his first season with the Bucs.

So the Cowboys should pay Trey Lance like he's Baker Mayfield ... even though he has infinitely fewer resume items to justify that contract?

Considered in that sense, paying Trey Lance a Mayfield-like $30 million seems almost as risky as paying Dak Prescott twice that.