Monday and Tuesday were momentous days for Dallas Cowboys' enthusiasts and the organization, as 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb agreed to a four-year, $136 million extension. This deal, which ended Lamb's holdout, cemented his place as one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers and ensured his presence on the team for the foreseeable future.
With Lamb's contract situation resolved, attention now turns to another critical component of the Cowboys' offense: quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott enters the final year of his contract in 2024 after leading the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in the 2023 season. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract, Prescott remains a cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive strategy.
Prescott's Contract Dilemmas
Prescott's current deal includes both a no-franchise tag clause and a no-trade clause, which means he could become a free agent by March 2025 if an extension isn’t reached. The urgency surrounding his extension is palpable, especially considering that none of the Cowboys' current quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for the 2025 season.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recognized the critical nature of the impending season opener but did not shy away from discussing the financial dynamics at play. Prescott himself has chosen to let his agent, Todd France, handle negotiations while he focuses on preparing for the season.
“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,” CeeDee Lamb emphasized.
Financial and Cap Space Concerns
The Cowboys are navigating these contract talks within the constraints of their salary cap. The franchise has $39.6 million in effective cap space for 2025, a crucial consideration as they discuss Prescott’s extension and future roster construction. By 2026, they have a projected $160.1 million in cap space, providing a slightly more flexible financial landscape.
In the NFL, managing a roster under the tight salary cap is a complex endeavor filled with inherent risks. Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love currently hold contracts with the highest average annual salary in the NFL, amounting to $55 million per year. These figures are a benchmark and challenge for the Cowboys as they strive to secure Prescott's future with the team.
“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 delicate balance required in contract negotiations. He added, “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 Road Ahead
As the Cowboys approach the season opener, Jones reiterated the importance of focusing on the next game above all else. “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 said.
Prescott echoed a similar sentiment, underscoring his focus on the upcoming season while trusting his agent to manage contract discussions. “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. He remains optimistic about the financial aspects resolving amicably: “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
Jones, reflecting on past experiences, acknowledged the mixed outcomes of risk-taking in contract negotiations, stating, “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.”
As the Cowboys navigate these pressing financial and roster decisions, one element remains clear: securing their key offensive players is imperative for sustained success. The upcoming season will not only test the team on the field but also set the stage for critical negotiations off it. Whether the Cowboys can balance immediate performance with long-term planning will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.