Was the Kirk Cousins contract extension a mistake?

As the latest rumor goes, unsigned QB Dak Prescott is "asking for somewhere like north of $45 million in that fifth year'' in order to finalize the long-term deal being offered him by the Dallas Cowboys.

That sounds ... incendiary. Depending on the details, it is actually nothing of the sort.

"From what I know of the situation, and I know from some people who are in the know that he's been offered five years, $175 million,'' NFL QB-turned-analyst Chris Simms told 105.3 The Fan's "K & C Masterpiece'' on Tuesday. "He wants a four-year deal. If they do agree to a five-year deal they would like a really big number at the end of that fifth year to cover their butts for what the market might be at the position five years from now. And I've heard he's asking for somewhere like north of $45 million in that fifth year.''

Let's bullet-point what Simms is saying here:

*I know from some people who are in the know that he's been offered five years, $175 million.'' - Respectfully, everyone who listens to The Fan or reads this space is "in the know'' on these numbers ... because we've been reporting them for weeks.

The way we keep writing it: "Five years at $35 million APY with more than $106 guaranteed.'' Now do the math: 5 x 35 is ... Yup. That's $175 million.

*"He wants a four-year deal.'' - We've also reported that. It is accurate, the reason being the shorter-term deal allows the player a quicker second bite of the contractual apple following the 2022 end of the existing TV contract with the league, at which point the salary cap - and stars' wages - will skyrocket.

*"If they do agree to a five-year deal they would like a really big number at the end of that fifth year to cover their butts for what the market might be at the position five years from now.'' - Viable, though it's worth noting that a) these contracts are usually constructed with an "escape hatch'' that would allow the team to dump the player late in the deal and that b) Dak would be only 31 entering the fifth season, and ideally there would be no reason to dump a "star QB.''

*"I've heard he's asking for somewhere like north of $45 million in that fifth year.'' - This is the tricky one, because it sounds like a flashpoint ... that may not be all that flashy at all.

Best-case scenario: The desire for $45 million in Year 5 can easily be accomplished within the framework of the existing offer. The Cowboys can say, "$45 mil in Year 5 is important to you? OK: Your salaries will be $25 mil + $35 mil + $35 mil + $35 mil + $45 mil.''

"Done. Sign here.''