The Dallas Cowboys' decision to sign franchise quarterback Dak Prescott to a long-term deal or not dominated headlines throughout the 2019 season. By the end of the season, no deal was agreed upon which puts Dallas in a situation where they will reportedly place the franchise tag on Prescott, per ESPN's Jenna Laine.

The Cowboys had to sign a host of stars this past season including Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper. While Zeke received a six-year, $90 million extension in September, the team's other two offensive stars have questionable futures with the team.

The franchise tag would keep Prescott in Dallas for one more season while they work on negotiating a long-term deal. Very common among star players entering free agency, the one-year franchise tag deal is worth the average of the top five highest-paid players at a players' respective position.

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The NFL's deadline in 2020 for teams and tagged players to agree upon and sign a multi-year extension is July 15. Yet over the last five years, roughly half of the franchise-tagged players have received such deals.

Every team receives one franchise tag per season and while it allows for further discussion into long-term deals, the lack of security for the players is a common gripe.

Last season, Prescott had arguably the best season of his career when he completed 65.1 percent of his passes for 4,902 yards and a career-high 30 passing touchdowns. The two-time Pro Bowler threw 11 interceptions on the year, ran for 277 yards and an additional three touchdowns and led the Cowboys to a 8-8 record in the regular season.