Monday and Tuesday at The Star marked a significant chapter for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization as the team secured 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb with a four-year, $136 million extension. The move, ending Lamb's holdout, ensures that one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers remains a Cowboy for the foreseeable future.
With Lamb's future secure, the spotlight now turns to another crucial component of the Cowboys' offense—quarterback Dak Prescott. Entering the final year of his contract in 2024, Prescott is poised to become a free agent by March 2025 if an extension isn’t reached. The urgency of this situation is underscored by Prescott's stellar performance, as evidenced by his league-leading 36 passing touchdowns in 2023.
A Critical Year for Dak
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, has made it clear that the upcoming season opener is paramount. "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 emphasized. Despite the immediate focus on the season, Prescott's contract situation is an ever-present concern.
Prescott’s current deal includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, providing him leverage in the ongoing negotiations. "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 stated. His confidence in the process is evident when he added, "The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has."
Future Planning and Financial Strategy
Financial considerations are fundamental in the Cowboys’ decision-making process. Players like Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love command the highest average annual salaries in the NFL, at $55 million per year. The Cowboys currently have $39.6 million in effective cap space to work with in 2025 and a projected $160.1 million in cap space in 2026, creating a complex landscape for negotiations.
Jerry Jones, reflecting on the nature of the NFL's financial ecosystem, remarked, “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.” Effectively managing cap space while retaining top talent is a continual balancing act for the team.
None of the current quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025, amplifying the importance of reaching an agreement with Prescott. "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 explained.
Risks and Rewards
Jones’ tenure with the Cowboys, which began with his purchase of the team in 1989, has seen its share of highs and lows in roster management under salary cap constraints. "Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you," he acknowledged. This pragmatic approach underscores the stakes involved in Prescott’s potential extension.
Prescott’s commitment to the Cowboys isn’t in question, as evidenced by CeeDee Lamb's remarks following his own contract resolution. "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 urged.
As the Cowboys prepare to embark on a pivotal season, securing the cornerstone pieces of their offense remains a top priority. The extension of CeeDee Lamb is a positive step, yet the future of Dak Prescott looms large over the team's long-term strategies. With financial intricacies and roster dynamics at play, the coming months will be crucial for the Cowboys' aspirations both on and off the field.