Cowboys have Dak’s back?
The Dallas Cowboys are strategically positioning themselves to secure a contract extension with quarterback Dak Prescott as their top priority before addressing the contracts of linebacker Micah Parsons and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who shared this insight on SportsCenter on Friday.
Fowler elaborated on the situation, stating, “You’ve got Dak Prescott. The Cowboys are facing significant financial challenges with three key players needing new contracts—Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb included. However, the consensus around the league and from sources I’ve spoken with is that the Cowboys’ initial focus is on Prescott. They’ve communicated to Dak’s team that he’s a priority and they’re eager to secure a deal. Although there hasn’t been much progress in terms of the actual numbers, their efforts can be characterized as somewhat passive at this stage.”
Prescott, who is 30 years old, is approaching the last year of his four-year, $160 million contract in 2024 and stands to become a free agent the following offseason if the Cowboys do not extend his contract beforehand.
Meanwhile, Dallas has somewhat more flexibility with Parsons, having exercised his $21.3 million option, which extends his stay through the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
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Similarly, the Cowboys previously secured Lamb for the upcoming season, but he will be eligible for free agency at the end of this year.
The decision to prioritize Prescott is logical, especially given his impressive performance in his eighth NFL season.
He ranked third in the NFL with 4,516 passing yards and led the league with 36 passing touchdowns, bolstering his MVP candidacy. At just 30 years of age, Prescott has several potential peak years ahead, making it crucial for the Cowboys to secure his leadership for the future.
However, any extension for Prescott is expected to come with a hefty price tag, reflecting the rising market for elite NFL quarterbacks.
Just this week, Trevor Lawrence signed a monumental five-year, $275 million deal, setting a high benchmark. Prescott, undeniably among the NFL’s premier quarterbacks, will likely command a similar, if not greater, financial commitment.
Fortuitously, Dallas is projected to have $67.552 million in cap space next offseason, according to Spotrac, which should provide them with the financial leeway to offer Prescott a competitive deal. Nonetheless, even with this cap space, navigating the contract negotiations for Prescott, alongside extensions for Parsons and Lamb, will be a complex and challenging task for the Cowboys’ management. They must balance these negotiations carefully to maintain their team’s competitive edge while ensuring financial sustainability.
