The past couple of days at The Star have been a whirlwind of emotions for Dallas Cowboys fans. The signing of 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million extension on Monday and Tuesday has provided a significant morale boost for the organization. This deal not only puts an end to Lamb's holdout but also ensures that one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers remains a Cowboy for the foreseeable future.
The immediate focus shifts to another cornerstone of the Cowboys' offense—quarterback Dak Prescott. With Prescott entering the final year of his contract in 2024, the urgency surrounding his future with the team has intensified. Prescott, who led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, is on the verge of potentially hitting the open market by March 2025 if an extension isn't reached.
The Stakes for Prescott
Prescott's current contract includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, offering him significant leverage in negotiations. This means that if the Cowboys are to retain their star quarterback, an extension needs to be ironed out soon. As of now, none of the Cowboys' current quarterbacks, including backups Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025, adding to the critical nature of Prescott's impending negotiations.
Financial considerations will play a pivotal role in these talks. With Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love holding the NFL's highest average annual salaries at $55 million per year, the Cowboys will need to carefully manage their cap space. Currently, the Cowboys have $39.6 million in effective cap space for 2025 and a projected $160.1 million in cap space for 2026, illustrating the intricate balancing act required to manage an NFL roster under salary cap restrictions.
Owner's Perspective
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones emphasized the importance of focusing on the immediate season opener. “We’re continuing to, first of all, put all of our focus on what’s coming up here in the next 10 days, two weeks. That game [Week 1 at the Cleveland Browns] takes priority over anything,” he stated.
Jones purchased the Cowboys in 1989 and has become well-versed in the financial gymnastics required in the NFL. “You’ve always got to remind everybody that this is a zero-sum game. Any dollar one player gets is a dollar another one doesn’t get," he noted, highlighting the delicate financial balancing act required to build and maintain a competitive roster. “If you can get the most and the best players out there for the least amount of the cap, you’re doing your very best job,” he added.
Player Conversations
Prescott has opted to let his agent, Todd France, handle the majority of contract discussions while focusing on the impending season. “There’ve been conversations back and forth, but for the most part, as y’all know, I let my agent handle that, especially as we get right here into training camp,” he explained. Prescott remains confident and unfazed by the ongoing negotiations. “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has,” Prescott remarked, displaying his faith in the process.
Teammates’ Confidence
Newly re-signed CeeDee Lamb also expressed confidence in a forthcoming deal for Prescott. “You look at our numbers together, they're at the top of the charts. I have no doubt that they're going to get a deal done. We all know that I want Dak here. Jerry [Jones] wants Dak here, too, so let's just get this under control and kill the speculation and let's go win,” Lamb urged.
Despite all the financial and contractual complexities, one thing remains clear: managing an NFL roster under salary cap restrictions is a complex and risk-laden endeavor. As Jerry Jones succinctly put it, “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.” As the Cowboys embark on the new season, all eyes in Dallas will be on Prescott and the front office as they navigate these crucial negotiations, aiming to keep their offensive leader in the Lone Star State.