Monday and Tuesday at The Star brought waves of excitement and relief for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization as the celebrated 2023 All-Pro wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, inked a four-year, $136 million extension. This pivotal move put an end to Lamb's holdout, ensuring that one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers remains a cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive arsenal for years to come.
With Lamb's contract situation resolved, the spotlight now intensifies on another crucial piece of the Cowboys' offense—quarterback Dak Prescott. As Prescott enters the final year of his contract in 2024, the timing for securing his future with the team becomes paramount. Notably, Prescott led the NFL with an impressive 36 passing touchdowns in the 2023 season, further cementing his value.
Focus on Prescott
Prescott’s current contract, which features both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, places the Cowboys in a delicate position. Should an extension not be agreed upon, Prescott would hit the open market by March 2025. The urgency of this situation is underscored by the fact that none of the Cowboys' current quarterbacks, including backups Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025.
Financial implications are at the forefront of these contract negotiations. The highest average annual salary in the NFL currently belongs to quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love, each drawing a substantial $55 million per year. This sets a high bar for Prescott’s potential extension. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have $39.6 million in effective cap space available in 2025, with a projected $160.1 million in cap space for 2026.
Insight from the Owner
Managing an NFL roster within the confines of salary cap limitations is a complex endeavor fraught with inherent risks. Jerry Jones, who has owned the Cowboys since 1989, aptly summarized this challenge.
“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. He added, “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.”
Jones emphasized the imminent importance of the Cowboys' 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.
Voices from the Field
CeeDee Lamb, fresh off his new contract, expressed his confidence in the eventual resolution of Prescott’s 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,” said Lamb.
Prescott, for his part, is reliant on his agent, Todd France, to navigate the negotiations. “There’ve been conversations back and forth, but for the most part, as y’all know, I let my agent handle that, especially as we get right here into training camp,” Prescott commented. He remains unfazed by the financial aspects, stating, “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
Looking Ahead
As the Cowboys prepare for their season opener, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how the front office handles the looming contract extension for Dak Prescott. Under the steady guidance of Jerry Jones, and with the recent securing of CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys are poised to tackle the upcoming challenges with a mix of strategic financial planning and a focus on maintaining their competitive edge in the NFL. The resolution of Prescott’s contract is not just a matter of keeping a talented quarterback on the roster; it’s a critical step in solidifying the team's future trajectory.