Monday and Tuesday at The Star in Frisco, Texas, buzzed with excitement and a palpable sense of relief for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization alike, following the significant signing of 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a four-year, $136 million extension. This move not only put an end to Lamb's holdout but also ensured that one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers remains a critical component of the Cowboys' arsenal for the foreseeable future.
With Lamb securely in place, the Cowboys' focus now shifts to another cornerstone of their offense—quarterback Dak Prescott, who is entering the final year of his contract in 2024. Prescott, who led the NFL with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, remains a pivotal figure in the Cowboys’ quest for success. His current contract includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, setting the stage for potential dramatic negotiations as he would hit the open market by March 2025 if an extension isn’t reached.
A Looming Priority
Owner Jerry Jones has emphatically stressed the 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,” said Jones.
The urgency to secure Prescott 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 considerations are at the forefront of these negotiations, particularly as the market for top quarterbacks has soared. Contracts held by Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love are setting a benchmark with an average annual salary of $55 million per year.
Financial Navigations
Managing an NFL roster under salary cap restrictions is a delicate, high-stakes game. The Cowboys have $39.6 million in effective cap space to work with in 2025, with a projected $160.1 million in cap space for 2026. This provides some financial flexibility but also heightens the stakes for strategic spending.
Jones, who purchased the Cowboys in 1989, is well aware of the intricate balancing act required. “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,” he explained. “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.”
Team Chemistry and Future Aspirations
CeeDee Lamb, now locked in with a lucrative deal, remains confident about Prescott's future with the team. “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 stated.
For Prescott, the focus remains on his performance on the field while trusting his agent, Todd France, to handle the contract talks. “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 remarked. His calmness about the financial aspect is notable: “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
As the Cowboys gear up for their season opener, the organization and its fans will watch closely, hoping that the right moves are made to maintain and build the strong core that could propel them to future successes. The Cowboys’ journey under the guidance of Jerry Jones continues to be a high-wire act, combining financial prudence with the pursuit of on-field excellence.