Monday and Tuesday brought a wave of excitement and relief to Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization. The 2023 All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb inked a four-year, $136 million extension, putting an end to his holdout and cementing his place as one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers with the Cowboys for the foreseeable future.
The Focus Shifts to Dak Prescott
With Lamb’s deal secured, the Cowboys' focus now shifts to another critical piece of their offensive puzzle—quarterback Dak Prescott. Entering the final year of his contract in 2024, Prescott's future with the team is in the spotlight. In 2023, Prescott led the league with 36 passing touchdowns, showcasing his importance to the Cowboys' offensive strategy.
Despite being pleased with Lamb’s new contract, the Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones emphasized the immediate 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,” Jones stated.
Prescott's current agreement includes both a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, meaning he could hit the open market by March 2025 if a new deal isn't reached. Jones and the Cowboys are acutely aware of the implications. “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.
Financial Realities and Comparisons
The financial considerations in Prescott's potential extension are undeniably significant. Currently, Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love hold the highest average annual salaries in the NFL at $55 million per year. The Cowboys, however, have $39.6 million in effective cap space to work with in 2025, with a projected $160.1 million in cap space in 2026.
Negotiations for high-value contracts are never straightforward. “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has,” Prescott said, indicating his trust in his agent, Todd France. Despite this confidence, managing the salary cap and ensuring an optimal roster remains a complex task. “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,” Jones added. “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.”
Prescott’s Perspective and Team Dynamics
While contract talks continue, Prescott remains focused on football. “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 noted. His focus on the season at hand is shared by the team, knowing that every game counts.
None of the Cowboys' current quarterbacks, including backups Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025, adding further urgency to the negotiations. The continuity of the quarterback position is crucial for maintaining the team’s competitive edge.
The Bigger Picture
Jones, who purchased the Cowboys in 1989, understands the balancing act of fielding a competitive team under salary cap restrictions. As the Cowboys prepare for a crucial season opener, negotiations for Prescott’s extension continue to simmer in the background. Every decision made now could significantly impact the team's future.
Lamb, showing confidence in his quarterback, believes a deal will be reached. “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 asserted.
The coming weeks and months will be pivotal for the Cowboys as they navigate the complexities of player contracts, salary caps, and on-field performance. With key players like Prescott and Lamb committed to the team’s success, Cowboys fans have much to look forward to as the new season dawns.