Monday and Tuesday were eventful days at The Star, igniting enthusiasm and relief among Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization alike. These feelings were sparked by the team's successful signing of 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a lucrative four-year, $136 million extension. This critical move concluded Lamb's holdout, ensuring that one of the NFL's top pass-catchers remains a staple in the Cowboys' offensive arsenal for the foreseeable future.
With Lamb's contract situation resolved, the spotlight now shifts to another indispensable component of the Cowboys' offense—quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2024, making his future with the team a subject of significant interest and speculation.
Dak Prescott's Contract Situation
Prescott, who led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, is a key figure in the Cowboys' offensive strategy. His current contract includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, adding layers of complexity to the impending negotiations. If the Cowboys do not reach an extension agreement by March 2025, Prescott would hit the open market.
Furthermore, the Cowboys face potential uncertainty at the quarterback position beyond Prescott's contract. None of the team's other quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for the 2025 season. This further underscores the urgency of the Cowboys' need to secure Prescott's future with the team.
Financial Considerations and Market Dynamics
Financial parameters play a pivotal role in the ongoing contract negotiations. High-profile quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love have contracts with annual average salaries reaching $55 million, setting a high benchmark in the market. The Cowboys have $39.6 million in effective cap space available for 2025, with a projected $160.1 million in cap space for 2026. Managing these financial constraints while trying to keep elite talent is an intricate challenge for any NFL team.
Owner Jerry Jones acknowledges these complexities while expressing confidence in the team's ability to navigate the financial waters. "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," Jones remarked. "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."
Optimism Amid Uncertainty
Despite the financial hurdles and contractual complexities, both Prescott and the Cowboys organization remain optimistic about reaching a deal. In addressing the media, Prescott said, “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. The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
Lamb, fresh off his new extension, also expressed confidence in the team’s ability to secure Prescott's future. “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 stated.
Immediate Focus on the Season Opener
For now, the Cowboys' immediate focus is on their upcoming season opener against the Cleveland Browns. “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,” emphasized Jones.
As the Cowboys prepare for the season, the shadow of Prescott's contract looms large but does not overshadow the team's immediate objectives. Jones summed up the nature of NFL decision-making by saying, “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.” Navigating these risks and rewards is part and parcel of managing a successful NFL franchise.
With CeeDee Lamb secured and an optimistic outlook on Dak Prescott’s negotiations, the Cowboys aim to push past contractual distractions and focus on what truly matters—winning games and contending for championships.