Monday and Tuesday at The Star were buzzing with excitement and relief for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization after the signing of the 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million extension. This monumental move brought an end to Lamb's holdout and ensured that one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers remains a staple in the Cowboys' offensive arsenal for the foreseeable future.
With Lamb’s future secured, the focus now shifts to another centerpiece of the Cowboys' offense—quarterback Dak Prescott. As Prescott enters the final year of his contract in 2024, his situation has garnered significant attention. The quarterback, who led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, faces a pivotal year ahead.
Dak Prescott: The Contract Puzzle
Prescott's current contract is filled with stipulations, including both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, adding layers of complexity to the ongoing negotiations. Without an extension, Prescott is poised to hit the open market by March 2025. This reality raises substantial questions about the Cowboys' long-term strategy, especially with none of their current quarterbacks, including backup Cooper Rush and development prospect Trey Lance, under contract for 2025.
Financial considerations are vital as Prescott’s contract negotiations unfold. The landscape of quarterback contracts has evolved, with Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love setting the bar with average annual salaries peaking at $55 million. For the Cowboys, managing their cap space is crucial. They possess $39.6 million in effective cap space for 2025 and a projected $160.1 million in cap space for 2026.
Jerry Jones' Balancing Act
Managing an NFL roster under salary cap restrictions is a delicate and high-stakes endeavor. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who purchased the team in 1989, emphasized the importance of precision and calculated risks in these decisions. “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, underscoring the complexity of salary cap management.
Jones also acknowledged the inherent risks involved in negotiating high-stakes contracts. “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,” Jones stated. “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.”
The Season Opener Beckons
As contract discussions continue, Jones stressed the immediate priority 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,” he explained, underlining the immediate focus on performance over financial negotiations.
For Prescott, balancing contract talks with game preparations is a familiar routine. “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 said. He remains confident in a favorable outcome, assuring, “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
CeeDee Lamb’s Vote of Confidence
CeeDee Lamb, fresh off his extension, voiced strong support for his quarterback. “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. His remarks echo a sentiment shared widely among Cowboys players and supporters—that Prescott is integral to the team’s success and continuity.
As the Cowboys gear up for the new season, the dual focus on immediate performance and long-term contract strategy will be pivotal. The road ahead involves balancing high expectations, financial considerations, and the cohesive vision of keeping key players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb in the fold. For now, the stage is set, and the Cowboys are ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.