Monday and Tuesday were eventful days at The Star for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization, as it was announced that the team's star wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, signed a monumental four-year, $136 million extension. This agreement not only puts an end to Lamb's holdout but also solidifies the presence of one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers for the Cowboys' future endeavors.
With the Lamb extension now secured, the attention shifts to another linchpin of the Cowboys' offense: quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott, who led the NFL with an astounding 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, is entering the final year of his contract in 2024. The urgency surrounding Prescott's contract situation is palpable, as his current deal includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, setting the stage for potential high-stakes negotiations.
The Dak Prescott Situation
Should the Cowboys fail to reach an extension, Prescott would hit the open market by March 2025, a scenario the organization undoubtedly wishes to avoid. The Cowboys' current quarterback roster, which includes Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, also sees no member under contract for 2025, adding another layer of urgency to the situation.
Financial considerations loom large over these negotiations, with the benchmark for quarterback salaries set by figures like Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love, whose contracts come with an average annual salary of $55 million. According to reports, the Cowboys have $39.6 million in effective cap space to navigate in 2025 and project $160.1 million in cap space by 2026. Navigating these figures while managing an NFL roster under tight salary cap restrictions is no small feat, and it involves inherent risks.
Comments from the Key Figures
When asked about the situation, Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, remained focused on the immediate future, particularly the 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.
Of course, all eyes are on the star quarterback's future. Prescott, known for his calm demeanor, has remained composed throughout the 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 remarked. “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has,” he added, exuding confidence in the process.
CeeDee Lamb, freshly secured by the organization, also expressed his desire to see Prescott remain a Cowboy. “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 exclaimed, reiterating the collective sentiment within the team and its fanbase.
Financial Strategy and Team Management
Jones, who purchased the Cowboys in 1989, appreciates the delicate balance required in roster management and cap space allocation. “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,” he explained, highlighting the complexities of building a competitive team.
“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 continued, implicitly acknowledging the balancing act required to maintain a top-tier roster. He also recognized that taking risks is part and parcel of the business. “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you,” he admitted.
As excitement surrounding the upcoming season mounts, Cowboys fans can take solace in the fact that their front office is keenly aware of the stakes involved. The coming months will reveal how the delicate dance of contract negotiations plays out for Prescott and what that will mean for the team's aspirations in 2024 and beyond.