Monday and Tuesday were pivotal days at The Star, filled with excitement and a sense of relief for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization alike. The source of this renewed optimism was the signing of the 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a lucrative four-year, $136 million extension. This move not only ended Lamb's holdout but also ensured that one of the NFL’s premier pass-catchers remains a cornerstone of the team for the foreseeable future.
The Financial and Strategic Implications
With Lamb's deal now settled, the focus inevitably shifts to another critical piece of the Cowboys' offensive puzzle—quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott, who led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, is entering the final year of his contract in 2024. His current contract includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, putting the pressure on the Cowboys to finalize an extension before he potentially hits the open market by March 2025.
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ owner who purchased the team in 1989, has emphasized 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,” said Jones. Clearly, the organization is diving headfirst into the season while still keeping future negotiations in mind.
Dak Prescott: The Key to the Future
In a landscape where financial considerations are at the forefront, Prescott's contract is a significant focal point. None of the Cowboys' current quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025. As the Cowboys navigate through these financially intricate waters, Jerry Jones' philosophy remains clear: “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 team has $39.6 million in effective cap space to work with in 2025 and a projected $160.1 million in cap space in 2026. While this might seem ample, big contracts like those of Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love—who hold the highest average annual salary in the NFL at $55 million per year—loom large over negotiation tables.
The Balancing Act of Roster Management
Managing an NFL roster under salary cap restrictions is inherently complex and risky. Jones acknowledged this, saying, “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 continued, “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.”
Meanwhile, CeeDee Lamb remains optimistic about securing Prescott’s extension. “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,” Lamb expressed.
Player Perspectives
Dak Prescott himself seems unperturbed by the ongoing negotiations. “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. His confidence in the outcome remains unwavering: “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
As the Cowboys gear up for their opening game against the Cleveland Browns, the narrative around Prescott's contract negotiations will undoubtedly garner attention. However, the immediate focus for the team remains squarely on the upcoming football season. The stakes are high, but with targeted efforts and strategic planning, the Cowboys aim to navigate these complex negotiations successfully, ensuring a future that's as bright as their storied past.