Monday and Tuesday at The Star brought a whirlwind of emotions for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization. The signing of the 2023 All-Pro wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, to a four-year, $136 million extension, marked a significant moment. This deal not only ended Lamb's holdout but also ensured that one of the NFL's elite pass-catchers remains in Dallas for the foreseeable future.
Lamb’s extension shifts focus to another essential player for the Cowboys—quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott, who led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, is entering the final year of his contract in 2024. A long-term solution for Prescott is imperative for the Cowboys, considering his current contract includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause. If an extension isn’t secured, Prescott will hit the open market by March 2025.
Prescott's Contract Situation
Currently, none of the Cowboys' quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025. Financial considerations are at the forefront of the negotiations, with other NFL contracts setting high benchmarks. Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love hold contracts with an average annual salary of $55 million per year—figures likely to influence the discussions involving Prescott.
Jerry Jones, the understated yet influential owner of the Cowboys since 1989, has reiterated the importance of focusing on the upcoming season opener against the Cleveland Browns. “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 emphasized.
Financial Balancing Act
The Cowboys have $39.6 million in effective cap space for 2025 and a projected $160.1 million in cap space in 2026. Managing these numbers while retaining key players under salary cap restrictions is complex and fraught with inherent risks. “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. The delicate balance of securing top talent while remaining cap-compliant is at the crux of NFL team management.
CeeDee Lamb is optimistic about the future with Prescott. “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. His confidence that a deal will be reached speaks to the camaraderie and mutual dependency within the team.
The Art of Negotiation
Conversations regarding Prescott’s extension have been ongoing. “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 mentioned. He remains focused on preparing for the season, trusting his agent to navigate the complexities of NFL contract negotiations. Prescott also conveyed a sense of inevitability regarding the financial aspects, stating, “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
Jones understands the inherently risky nature of these negotiations. “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,” he said, before adding a realistic note, “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.” This pragmatism reflects the high-stakes chess game that is managing an NFL team's roster under salary cap restrictions.
As the Cowboys look forward to the upcoming season, securing Prescott's long-term future remains a critical objective. His performances have solidified him as a central figure of the franchise, and his leadership will be pivotal as Dallas aims to translate their cap space into sustained success on the field. For now, the Cowboys, their players, and their fans can revel in the excitement surrounding CeeDee Lamb’s extension, while the saga of Dak Prescott’s contract continues to unfold.