Monday and Tuesday at The Star were marked by excitement and relief for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization alike, with the signing of the 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million extension.
This move brought an end to Lamb's holdout and ensured that one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers remains with the team for the foreseeable future.
The Focus Shifts to Dak Prescott
With Lamb's contract situation resolved, attention now turns to a crucial piece of the Cowboys' offensive puzzle—quarterback Dak Prescott. Entering the final year of his contract in 2024, Prescott's future with the team is a key topic of discussion. Having led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, Prescott remains central to the Cowboys' aspirations.
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, has repeatedly highlighted 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,” he stated.
Prescott's current contract includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause. Should an extension not be reached, he would hit the open market by March 2025. This places the Cowboys in a critical time frame to secure their star quarterback's services beyond his current deal.
Financial Implications
Financial considerations are at the forefront of contract negotiations, with the Cowboys navigating a complex salary cap landscape. Prescott's relatively steep contract demands align with those of top-tier quarterbacks in the league. Currently, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love hold contracts with the highest average annual salary in the NFL, amounting to $55 million per year.
The Cowboys have $39.6 million in effective cap space to work with for 2025 and a projected $160.1 million in cap space for 2026. Jerry Jones addressed the delicate balance of managing the roster under these constraints. “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. “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 complexities of roster management are not lost on anyone involved. Jerry Jones, echoing his long-standing philosophy, observed: “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.”
Team and Player Perspectives
CeeDee Lamb expressed optimism regarding Prescott’s contract situation. “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,” he remarked.
Prescott, for his part, remains focused on the immediate future and defers contractual matters to his agent. “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. The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has,” Prescott commented.
Uncertain Future Beyond 2024
None of the Cowboys' current quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025, adding another layer of urgency to securing Prescott’s future with the team. The Cowboys must navigate these negotiations carefully to avoid a potential void at the most critical position on the field.
As the 2024 season approaches, Prescott and the Cowboys are poised for what could be a pivotal year. With the star wide receiver locked in and the quarterback's future hanging in the balance, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a crucial juncture as they aim for success on and off the field.