Monday and Tuesday at The Star brought a wave of excitement and relief for Dallas Cowboys fans and the organization with CeeDee Lamb's signing of a four-year, $136 million extension. This deal not only ends Lamb's holdout but also ensures that one of the NFL's premier pass-catchers remains a pivotal part of the team for the foreseeable future.
With Lamb’s future secured, the Cowboys' attention is now squarely on their star quarterback, Dak Prescott, who is entering the final year of his contract in 2024. Prescott delivered an impressive performance in 2023, leading the league with 36 passing touchdowns. Yet, his contract situation presents complexities, including a no-franchise tag and a no-trade clause, highlighting the urgency of negotiating a new deal to avoid Prescott hitting the open market by March 2025.
Jerry Jones’s Strategic Focus
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones highlighted the importance of the upcoming season opener, emphasizing, “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.” However, the undercurrent of Prescott’s contract negotiations cannot be ignored.
Jones has always maintained a practical approach to financial management within the team. “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. Balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to retain top talent is a delicate act that Jones has been navigating since purchasing the Cowboys in 1989. With $39.6 million in effective cap space in 2025 and a projected $160.1 million in 2026, the Cowboys have room to maneuver, but every decision comes with its risks.
Dak Prescott: Eyes on the Prize
Prescott has expressed a desire to remain with the Cowboys, despite the looming uncertainty. “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 said. His confidence in the business side of football is clear: “The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has.”
This sentiment is echoed by Lamb, who has built a strong on-field chemistry 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,” Lamb stated.
The Contractual Landscape
Currently, none of the Cowboys' quarterbacks, including Cooper Rush and Trey Lance, are under contract for 2025. This gives additional impetus to securing Prescott's future. Meanwhile, the financial landscape of the NFL is shaped by high-value contracts, with players like Trevor Lawrence, Jared Goff, and Jordan Love commanding $55 million per year. These figures inevitably influence Prescott’s negotiations as the Cowboys strive to balance competitiveness with cap space.
Jones remains philosophical about the challenges, noting, “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.” It’s a nuanced game of risk management, as he admits, “Sometimes it’s worked out really well. Sometimes taking those risks will bite you.”
As the new season approaches, the Cowboys' front office must juggle immediate on-field priorities with long-term strategic decisions. The resolution of Prescott's contract situation will not only impact the upcoming season but also shape the future trajectory of a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations. For now, the excitement surrounding Lamb’s extension gives fans and the organization a reason to be optimistic as they anticipate what lies ahead on and off the field.