Monday and Tuesday at The Star brought a wave of excitement and relief to Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization, following the significant signing of the 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million extension. This was more than just a contractual agreement; it was a declaration of commitment to a key player who has consistently proven his value on the field. Lamb's signing ended his holdout, ensuring that one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers remains with the team for the foreseeable future.
The focus now inevitably shifts towards another cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offensive framework—quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott enters the final year of his contract in 2024, a looming deadline that carries substantial implications for the franchise. His performance has been nothing short of impressive, leading the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023. This statistical milestone underscores his critical role in the team's offensive strategy.
Jerry Jones Emphasizes Importance of Season Opener
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' long-standing owner since 1989, underscored the importance of the upcoming 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," Jones stated, indicating the immediate priorities of the team. Yet, beyond the immediate horizon, the question of Prescott's future with the franchise looms large.
Prescott's current contract includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, critical elements that give him substantial leverage in negotiations. Should an extension fail to materialize, Prescott would hit the open market by March 2025. None of Dallas' current quarterbacks, including backups Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for the 2025 season, adding another layer of urgency to these negotiations.
Financial Considerations
Financial considerations are at the forefront of these contract talks. Prescott's would-be contemporaries—Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love—boast contracts with the highest average annual salaries in the league, each amounting to $55 million per year. The Cowboys must navigate these financial waters judiciously, particularly given their cap space constraints. The team has $39.6 million in effective cap space to work with in 2025 and a more substantial $160.1 million projected for 2026.
"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, highlighting the intricate balance required in roster management. "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. This balancing act is crucial for maintaining a competitive roster while staying under the salary cap.
Risk and Reward
Managing an NFL roster within these financial constraints is fraught with potential risks and rewards. "Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you," Jones candidly acknowledged. This reality underscores the high-stakes nature of NFL roster management, where each financial decision impacts the team's long-term prospects.
CeeDee Lamb, for one, remains optimistic about the negotiations surrounding Prescott. "You look at our numbers together, they're at the top of the charts," Lamb noted. "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." His comments reflect a shared desire within the organization to secure Prescott's services and focus on winning.
Prescott himself appears to be maintaining a pragmatic stance. "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," he explained. "The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has."
As the Cowboys prepare for the upcoming season, the contractual futures of their key players, particularly Dak Prescott, will undoubtedly remain a topic of significant interest. How the organization navigates these negotiations will play a crucial role in shaping the team's competitive landscape, not just for this season, but for many seasons to come.