In a season filled with contract negotiations and cap hits, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a precarious position. Quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, two critical pillars of the team’s offense, are both eyeing contract extensions that have yet to materialize. Despite this urgency, negotiations have been stalled, causing ripples throughout the Cowboys’ off-season strategy.
Dak Prescott’s “Nonexistent” Negotiations
Dak Prescott is entering the final year of his contract with a $61 million cap hit, the largest in the NFL this season. While many expected the Cowboys to renegotiate and lock down their star quarterback, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggests a stark reality.
“Their negotiations so far with Dak have been described to me as passive or even nonexistent,” said Fowler. “There really hasn’t been anything going on, so their actions are saying that maybe if they have to sit on his $61 million cap hit this year then figure it out later, they’ll do that.”
The Cowboys’ lack of urgency with Prescott’s contract complicates the extension talks for other key players like CeeDee Lamb, who is set to finish the final year of his rookie deal this season.
CeeDee Lamb Awaits His Deal
CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys’ top wide receiver, is anticipating an extension before the season begins. However, the lack of clarity surrounding Prescott’s situation appears to have a domino effect on Lamb’s future. Fowler notes that the wide receiver market is already well-established, with a price tag of around $30 million per year.
“And CeeDee Lamb, so they’re going to pay somebody eventually. But my sense is they need to figure out the Dak Prescott situation first before they get to Lamb,” Fowler remarked.
#Cowboys Dak Prescott and where he ranks among a QB first 8 seasons (min of 60 starts):
• 67 completion % (1st)
• 29,459 pass yards (8th)
• 202 pass TDs (7th)
• 1.9 INT rate (6th best)
• 99.0 passer rating (5th)
• 22 game-winning drives (11th)
• 50 passing success % (2nd) pic.twitter.com/ySMjcewBWb— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) May 7, 2024
Meanwhile, other receivers like Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings and Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers are pushing for their lucrative deals, which could reset the market further and add more pressure on Dallas to secure Lamb sooner rather than later.
Micah Parsons Also Due for an Extension
Adding to the complexity, defensive superstar Micah Parsons is also on the radar for a new deal. While the team exercised his fifth-year option through 2025, the Cowboys know it’s a matter of time before Parsons seeks a new contract. With the edge rusher market reaching over $30 million annually, Dallas would be wise to move quickly on Parsons’ deal to avoid any future cap surprises.
Dallas Cowboys Navigating the Contract Maze
The Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a crossroads, balancing their salary cap with the need to secure their franchise quarterback, offensive star, and defensive cornerstone. The longer negotiations are delayed, the higher the stakes become. Prescott’s “nonexistent” talks could shake up Lamb’s deal and potentially jeopardize the Cowboys’ financial ability to retain Micah Parsons in the long term.
