Dak Prescott guides the Cowboys to a commanding 33-17 victory over the Browns in their season opener following his new four-year contract.

CLEVELAND — Dak Prescott barely had a moment to celebrate securing the largest contract in NFL history before realizing it came with expectations from his teammates.

“They’re expecting Rolexes,” Prescott quipped. "Everybody’s giving me their wrist size.”

Hours after agreeing to a four-year, $240 million deal with the Cowboys, Prescott threw a touchdown pass as Dallas dominated the Cleveland Browns, winning 33-17 in their season opener. The Cowboys' defense also put pressure on Deshaun Watson, who was returning from injury.

Prescott's new contract makes him the first player to average $60 million per season, ending months of speculation about his future with the Cowboys, who have won 12 games each of the past three seasons with him at the helm. Earlier this week, Prescott expressed his desire to be the quarterback who finally ends the Cowboys' Super Bowl drought.

“It's about holding up my end of the deal,” Prescott said after completing 19 of 32 passes for 179 yards, spending much of the second half on the sidelines.

While preparing in his hotel room to head to the stadium, Prescott received an unexpected call from his agent about the contract. His first reaction was to hug teammate Ezekiel Elliott, who he credited for his support as a young player.

“I am just super excited for him,” Elliott said, after scoring a touchdown in his return with the Cowboys. “I see the work he puts in day in and day out, so I couldn't think of a more deserving person to get that contract.”

Prescott connected with Brandin Cooks for a 21-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and the Cowboys quickly established a commanding 27-3 lead with a 60-yard punt return touchdown from KaVontae Turpin. Brandon Aubrey also contributed with field goals of 57, 50, 46, and 40 yards.

Prescott's deal followed closely on the heels of the Cowboys awarding wide receiver CeeDee Lamb a four-year, $136 million contract. Lamb missed all of training camp before reaching an agreement.

“We have a little bit of experience with distractions, so we dealt with it,” coach Mike McCarthy joked. "The timing was different, but he handled it well. We congratulated him on this achievement because it's something to celebrate. But once that was done, he was focused.”

Watson returned to the field for the first time since breaking a bone in his right shoulder last November. He struggled, completing 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards, while being sacked six times and throwing two interceptions. The Browns, with their revamped offense, managed just one first down by halftime and trailed by 17 points.

“They came out and hit us in the face on both sides,” said Browns Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio. “It was disappointing.”

On Dallas’ opening scoring drive, Prescott showcased his precision with a 34-yard pass to Lamb. After narrowly avoiding an interception, he threw his first touchdown pass of the season to Cooks, who made a clean catch in the end zone.

Elliott, who struggled last season with New England, returned to the Cowboys in April and scored on a 3-yard run to extend Dallas' lead to 14-3. The Browns initially led 3-0 with a 51-yard field goal from Dustin Hopkins.

In the closing seconds of the first half, Aubrey appeared to tie Justin Tucker's NFL record with a 66-yard field goal, but it was negated due to a delay of game penalty, despite McCarthy's protests. In his second season from Notre Dame, Aubrey had previously made a 66-yarder during the preseason against Las Vegas.

Browns star Myles Garrett surprised fans by attending a pregame tailgate in the Muni Lot, joining Cavaliers All-Star Donovan Mitchell to lead a “Here we go Brownies” chant.

Injuries:

• Cowboys: TE Jake Ferguson left in the third quarter with a left knee injury and will undergo imaging tests. LB Eric Kendricks briefly exited for fluids but returned with two sacks and an interception.
• Browns: TE David Njoku suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter after making a 29-yard catch. LBs Tony Fields II (ankle) and Mohamoud Diabate (hip) also sustained injuries.