Monday and Tuesday at The Star were days Dallas Cowboys fans won't soon forget. The Cowboys organization brought a wave of excitement and relief with the signing of the 2023 All-Pro wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, to a significant four-year, $136 million extension. This pivotal move put an end to Lamb's holdout and secured one of the NFL's top pass-catchers for the foreseeable future.
With Lamb's extension firmly in place, the spotlight now turns to another critical component of the Cowboys' offensive unit—quarterback Dak Prescott. As Prescott enters the final year of his contract in 2024, the Cowboys face the challenge of negotiating a new deal that will keep their star quarterback in Dallas. Prescott showcased his elite capabilities by leading the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, making his retention essential for the team's success.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has underscored the importance of the upcoming season opener, noting, "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." However, the urgency of securing Prescott's future with the Cowboys cannot be overlooked. With Prescott's current contract featuring both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, failing to reach an extension by March 2025 would result in Prescott hitting the open market.
The Cowboys face a unique situation as none of their current quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025. This only adds to the urgency of resolving Prescott's contract situation. Financial considerations are at the forefront of these negotiations, as salaries for top-tier quarterbacks continue to soar. Contracts held by Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love, all averaging $55 million annually, set a high benchmark.
The Cowboys' available cap space further complicates matters. By 2025, the team has $39.6 million in effective cap space, with a more substantial $160.1 million projected for 2026. Managing the roster under these salary cap constraints requires meticulous planning and often involves inherent risks. As Jones aptly put it, "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."
Despite the financial challenges, the resolve to keep Prescott in Dallas remains strong. CeeDee Lamb echoed this sentiment by stating, "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." This optimism is shared by Prescott, who prefers to leave the intricacies of contract negotiations to his agent, Todd France.
“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. His focus remains steadfast on the field, asserting, “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
The landscape of the NFL continually evolves, and managing a roster involves both strategic foresight and acceptance of potential setbacks. Jerry Jones acknowledged this reality, "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. Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you."
As the Cowboys prepare for what promises to be a pivotal season, the dual tasks of competing at the highest level and securing their cornerstone quarterback dominate the agenda. For now, fans and the organization alike hold their breath, hopeful that Prescott's tenure with the Cowboys will continue well into the future, ensuring stability and success for years to come.