Monday and Tuesday at The Star were a whirlwind of excitement and relief for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization, with the team signing 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million extension. This significant move resolved Lamb's holdout, ensuring that one of the NFL’s elite pass-catchers stays with the Cowboys for the foreseeable future. However, while the spotlight shines brightly on Lamb's lucrative deal, the attention now shifts to another critical component of the Cowboys' offensive lineup—quarterback Dak Prescott.
Prescott, who led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in the 2023 season, is entering the final year of his contract in 2024. The 30-year-old quarterback's future with the team has generated a mixture of anticipation and anxiety among fans and analysts alike. Prescott’s current contract, which includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, implies that he would hit the open market by March 2025 if an extension isn’t reached. Given his significant contributions to the team, ensuring Prescott's continued presence is of paramount importance for the Cowboys.
The Stakes and Financial Considerations
Financial considerations are at the forefront of these contract negotiations. The landscape of NFL quarterback salaries has seen substantial changes, with Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love holding contracts that boast the highest average annual salary in the league, amounting to $55 million per year. Navigating this financial territory requires a delicate balance, as Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, pointed out, “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.”
The Cowboys have a projected $39.6 million in effective cap space to manage in 2025, and an even more substantial $160.1 million in cap space anticipated in 2026. These figures could provide a broad framework within which negotiations for Prescott's extension could unfold, but they also emphasize the complexity of managing an NFL roster under salary cap restrictions. As Jones noted, “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.”
Anticipation Ahead of the Season Opener
The excitement surrounding Lamb’s extension and Prescott's potential new deal comes amidst the buildup to the season opener, which Jones emphasized as a priority. “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 remarked. This underscores the immediate goal for the Cowboys—starting the season strong while longer-term contract negotiations continue in the background.
Player and Management Perspectives
Both Prescott and Lamb have expressed confidence and optimism about the future. Regarding the speculations around Prescott's contract, Lamb voiced his support, “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.”
Prescott, who has largely delegated contract discussions to his agent, Todd France, shared his thoughts with a composed demeanor: “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.” His faith in the process is evident, as he added, “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
Jerry Jones, always the pragmatic businessman, reflects on the inherent risks and rewards in managing team finances and contracts. He noted, “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.” The emphasis on calculated decision-making is crucial as the Cowboys navigate these pivotal negotiations, balancing immediate team needs with long-term strategic planning.
The recent days have marked significant strides for the Dallas Cowboys, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead. While Lamb’s extension provides offensive stability, the focus on Prescott’s contract will undoubtedly continue to be a central narrative. Both the fans and the organization are eagerly watching as the Cowboys prepare to embark on another quest for NFL glory.