CLEVELAND — — Dak Prescott barely had time to celebrate signing the biggest contract in NFL history before he learned it came with a price tag.

His Cowboys teammates all want something.

“They expect Rolexes,” Prescott joked. “Everyone gives me their wrist size.”

Prescott threw a touchdown pass just hours after signing a four-year, $240 million contract with Dallas. The Cowboys defense went hard on Deshaun Watson in his return, beating the Cleveland Browns 33-17 in their season opener on Sunday.

Prescott’s deal makes him the first player to earn an average of $60 million per season, ending months of speculation about his future with the Cowboys, who have won 12 games with him in the past three years.

Earlier this week, Prescott, fresh off his best season and entering the final year of his contract, said he wants to move to quarterback to finally end the team’s Super Bowl drought. He’ll have time to try.

“It’s about me holding up my end of the bargain,” said Prescott, who completed 19 of 32 passes for 179 yards and spent much of the second half relaxing on the sideline.

Prescott was in his hotel room getting ready to leave for the stadium when he got a surprise call from his agent, telling him about the contract. His next move was to hug teammate Ezekiel Elliott, who he credited with helping him as a young player.

“I’m just super excited for him,” said Elliott, who had a 3-yard TD run in his first game back with the Cowboys. “I see the work he puts in day in and day out, so I can’t imagine a person more deserving of that contract.”

Prescott threw a 21-yard scoring pass to Brandin Cooks in the first quarter and the Cowboys took a 27-3 lead early in the third quarter thanks to a 60-yard punt return TD from KaVontae Turpin.

Brandon Aubrey scored field goals of 57, 50, 46 and 40 yards for Dallas.

Prescott’s deal came just two weeks after the Cowboys gave wide receiver CeeDee Lamb a four-year, $136 million contract. Lamb sat out the entire training camp before the sides reached an agreement.

“We’ve had a little bit of experience with distractions, so we dealt with it,” coach Mike McCarthy said with a laugh. “The timing was different, but he handled it well. We definitely congratulated him on the development, because it’s something you have to celebrate. But as soon as we were done, he was stuck.”

Watson played for the first time since breaking a bone in his right shoulder in November. Cleveland’s QB didn’t play during the preseason, and the Browns’ new offense didn’t look good when he ran it.

Watson was sacked six times, intercepted twice, and the 28-year-old was not sharp. He had multiple overthrows, held the ball too long on some plays and rarely looked comfortable with the Cowboys covering his receivers.

He completed 24 of 45 passes for 169 yards in just his 13th game for Cleveland since signing a fully guaranteed $230 million deal in 2022.

At halftime, the Browns trailed by 17 points, had only one first down and were outscored 216-54.

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

On Dallas’ first scoring drive, Prescott showed a beautiful play when he connected with Lamb for a 34-yard pass down the right sideline.

Prescott was nearly intercepted on the next play, but then threw his first touchdown pass of the season to Cooks, who ran past flat-footed safety Juan Thornhill before making an uncontested catch in the end zone.

Elliott spent little time with New England last season before the Cowboys re-signed the two-time rushing champion in April after letting him go in a cost-cutting move. The 28-year-old burst in to give the Cowboys a 14-3 lead in the second quarter.

The Browns took a 3-0 lead on a 51-yard field goal by Dustin Hopkins, who has made all nine kicks above 50 since Cleveland acquired him in a trade before last season.

Just for fun

Aubrey appeared to tie Justin Tucker’s NFL record with a 66-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half, but the boot was wiped out when the Cowboys were called for delay of game, despite the vehement protests of coach Mike McCarthy.

In his sophomore season at Notre Dame, Aubrey made a 66-yarder during the preseason against Las Vegas.

Man of the people

Browns star Myles Garrett surprised fans by appearing at a pregame tailgate in the Muni Lot, the team’s infamous parking and party area just east of the stadium.

The reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year led a group of fans in a “Here we go Brownies” chant. Garrett was joined by Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell.

Injuries

Cowboys: TE Jake Ferguson limped off the field in the third inning with a left knee injury after being tackled on a short completion. McCarthy said Ferguson will undergo imaging tests Monday. … LB Eric Kendricks briefly went out to get fluids but finished with two sacks and an interception.

Browns: TE David Njoku left the field in the third quarter with an ankle injury. Njoku, who led Cleveland in receptions and touchdowns last season, was injured while making a 29-yard catch. … LBs Tony Fields II (ankle) and Mohamoud Diabate (hip) were both injured.

Next

Cowboys: host New Orleans next Sunday.

Browns: Next Sunday in Jacksonville.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl