Monday and Tuesday at The Star brought a wave of excitement and relief for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization alike, as the announcement came through: the team's 2023 All-Pro wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, has signed a four-year, $136 million extension. This decisive move not only ended Lamb's holdout but also secured one of the NFL's elite pass-catchers for the foreseeable future, a critical piece in the Cowboys' offensive arsenal.
Quarterback Dilemma Looms
As the dust from Lamb’s signing settles, the spotlight now shifts onto another key figure in the Cowboys’ lineup — quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott, an anchor for the Cowboys, is entering the final year of his contract in 2024. Known for his remarkable performance, he led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, a testament to his prowess on the field.
Owner Jerry Jones has underscored the significance of the upcoming season opener, emphasizing that, “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.”
Contract Talks and Cap Space
The intricacies of Prescott’s current contract, which includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, further complicate the situation. Should an extension not be reached, Prescott would be set to hit the open market by March 2025. Compounding the issue, none of the Cowboys’ current quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025.
Financial considerations are paramount in these negotiations. The Cowboys must navigate the complexities of managing an NFL roster under salary cap restrictions. “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,” Jerry Jones remarked, highlighting the delicate balancing act required. “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.”
The Cowboys are staring at $39.6 million in effective cap space for 2025, with a more promising $160.1 million projected for 2026. These figures provide a framework within which the team must operate, especially with other contracts like those of Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love, who hold the highest average annual salary in the NFL at $55 million per year, setting a high bar.
Player Perspectives
From a player’s perspective, the narrative remains focused on preparation and performance. CeeDee Lamb expressed optimism about the contract situation, stating, “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.”
Prescott himself acknowledges the ongoing discussions but emphasizes his commitment to the impending season. “There’ve been conversations back and forth, but for the most part, as y’all know, I let my agent (Todd France) handle that, especially as we get right here into training camp,” Prescott explained. “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
Future Uncertainties
Jones’ long-standing ownership since purchasing the Cowboys in 1989 has witnessed both high-stakes emotional thrills and tough financial decisions. He candidly observed, “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.” This acknowledgment underscores the inherent risks involved in managing a team, particularly under the constraints of the salary cap.
The immediate future for the Cowboys hinges on threading the needle between securing key player contracts and maintaining financial flexibility. With the upcoming season demanding full attention and the March 2025 deadline for Prescott’s potential free agency looming on the horizon, the Dallas Cowboys are poised at a pivotal juncture. The decisions made in the coming months will significantly shape the trajectory of one of the NFL’s storied franchises.