Trouble is brewing for the Dallas Cowboys and Cowboys fans you might want to look away. The big three for America’s Team are all seeking massive contracts and its been a bit of a tough situation for the front office to fulfill their request. As the Cowboys reported for training camp the contract negotiations for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons have been a hot topic.
Prescott who’s been through this before has reported for camp but his running mate has decided to hold out. The last two Cowboys players that held out won the bidding war. In 2019 Ezekiel Elliott chose to hold out of camp and was awarded a $90 million extension. Last offseason All-Pro guard Zack Martin received a contract that would guarantee him $18 million for two seasons.
There are 43 days until the Cowboys take the field in week one and they need to get their star wide receiver reported to camp. Will the front office be able to lock down their stars before the first game or are they too deep in trouble to bounce back?
The Cowboys Face Texas-Sized Problems
Dak Prescott
While Dak Prescott is looking for a contract extension he knows 2024 could possbily be his last season in a Cowboys uniform. Prescott will be a free agent in 2025 and has a $55 million cap hit this season. Although Prescott does want to remain in Dallas, the idea of playing elsewhere if not extended doesn’t alter his approach towards a new deal. “All the great QBs I watched played for other teams. That’s not something to fear. It may be a reality for me one day. It may not be my decision,” Prescott said during a training camp interview.
After seeing Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa sign contract extensions yesterday Prescott and his agent have to be smiling from ear-to-ear. Love’s $55 million annually and Tagaovailo’s $53 million annually makes them the first and fourth highest-paid quarterbacks. While speaking at Cowboys camp, Stephen Jones stated Prescott has been offered a contract. Sooner or later he could take the top spot as the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback.
CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb is not in Oxnard with the team but is still working out in Houston while he awaits a contract extension. Lamb who broke the single-season record for receptions and yards in franchise history wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback according to Stephen Jones. Justin Jefferson’s four-year $140 million deal has already won that title. Will the front office meet Lamb’s demands?
Lamb has all the leverage in terms of his contract. He’s become the focal point of the Cowboys offense and an elite wide receiver. The offense would take a huge hit without their star playmaker. Lamb saw 197 targets during the 2023 season and had six games with 10+ receptions. A part of Lamb’s game that isn’t talked about is his durability. He’s missed one game in four seasons and he’s in the prime of his career. He’ll continue to see his volume and efficiency increase as the focal point.
Cowboys fans shouldn’t sweat this one too much. Reports out of camp seem like things are going in the right direction. Along with Prescott, Lamb was always offered a contract. The Cowboys could see their star wide receiver back in camp as soon as a deal is reached.
Micah Parsons
A Micah Parsons deal isn’t a rush but is a high priority. In April they picked up his fifth-year option as a defensive end. He’s set to make $21 million in 2025 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2026. Parsons who’s been one of the best edge rushers since entering the league in 2021 has been on a dominant tear. He earned the Defensive Rookie of The Year award in his first season and has been named to the Pro Bowl three times and received First-Team All-Pro honors twice in his career.
Parsons was asked about the progress of his deal but didn’t seem too concerned. “I want to be here my whole life,” Parsons said. “ The contract stuff will always take care of itself. Winning games is what I need to take care of,” Parsons added. The defense led by Parsons has been a huge reason for the Cowboys success. Their PPG allowed has decreased each time over the past three seasons and they’ve led the league in forced turnovers two times in the last three years.
Jones stated similar to Lamb, Parsons wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback when it’s his time to get paid. He’s on a hall-of-fame career path and deserves to get paid like the highest-paid player when his time comes. Nick Bosa’s $34 million contract currently leads all defensive ends.
Time To Pay Up
Unfortunately for the front office, they dragged their feet regarding the deals with Lamb and Prescott, and now they’re in a sticky situation. When it’s all set and done the Cowboys could have three of the highest-paid players at their respective positions. The priority before the 2024 season officially begins should be locking down their quarterback-wide receiver duo before their price tags increase even more.
Main Image: Joe Rondone / The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK
