Monday and Tuesday at The Star were filled with excitement and relief for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization alike, following the signing of the 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million extension. This move put an end to Lamb's holdout and ensured that one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers remains with the team for the foreseeable future.
The focus now shifts to another crucial piece of the Cowboys' offensive puzzle—quarterback Dak Prescott. With Prescott entering the final year of his contract in 2024, the urgency for renegotiating an extension is mounting. Having led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, Prescott remains a cornerstone of the Cowboys' ambitions.
“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 commented as he expressed his confidence in the organization's ability to secure Prescott's future.
The Cowboys' owner, Jerry Jones, is equally optimistic, albeit with a focus on the immediate future. “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 said, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming season opener.
Prescott's current contract is notably unique; it includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, allowing him to hit the open market by March 2025 if an extension isn’t reached. This situation puts additional pressure on the Cowboys to seal a deal soon, especially since none of their current quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025.
“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 stated, underscoring his commitment to the team and his trust in the negotiation process. “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
Financial considerations are always at the forefront of contract negotiations. Notably, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love now hold contracts with the highest average annual salary in the NFL, amounting to $55 million per year. The Cowboys have $39.6 million in effective cap space to work with in 2025, and a projected $160.1 million in 2026, granting them some flexibility but also imposing significant constraints.
“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 explained. His candid approach underscores the complexities involved in managing an NFL roster under salary cap restrictions. “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 added.
Despite the complexities and inherent risks, Jones remains optimistic about the future. Reflecting on his history with the Cowboys since he purchased the team in 1989, Jones acknowledged the inherent risks involved in his decisions, both past and present. “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you,” he mused.
For now, the Cowboys faithful will have to remain patient as the organization works to navigate these challenges. One thing is clear, however: all parties involved have a vested interest in keeping Prescott and Lamb together, providing the team with a potent offensive duo capable of competing at the highest level.