With minicamp now in the books, the period leading up to Cowboys’ training camp will be dominated by progress on extension talks for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. The latter is under contract for two more years, so he is not as pressing of a financial priority this summer. 
Prescott has firmly remained in Dallas’ plans beyond the 2024 campaign, one in which he is set to carry a cap hit of $55.13MM. With no-tag and no-trade clauses in his deal, last season’s MVP runner-up has plenty of leverage in a potential bid to reach the top of the quarterback market. A report from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler earlier this month indicated the Cowboys are set to make a “strong offer” to keep Prescott in the fold.
To little surprise, that has placed the 30-year-old at the top of the pecking order in terms of lucrative Dallas extensions. Fowler noted in a recent SportsCenter appearance that the Cowboys want to work out the Prescott accord before those of Lamb and Parsons (video link). Such an approach would come as little surprise, considering the respective cap situations of the three players and the nature of the quarterback (as opposed to receiver and edge rush) markets.
Prescott is a candidate to set a new standard in terms of annual average compensation on his next deal; both Joe Burrow (Bengals) and Trevor Lawrence (Jaguars) are currently at $55MM in that regard. The former fourth-rounder has publicly stated that his latest round of negotiations will not be as centered on finances as the last one, and the extent to which that holds true will be a key factor in this process. As Fowler confirms, the Cowboys have not yet aggressively engaged in extension talks with Prescott.
If that continues for the time being, Lamb will be left to wait for serious negotiations of his own. The three-time Pro Bowler did not take part in OTAs or mandatory minicamp as he continues to seek out an extension. Lamb has seen Justin Jefferson reset the top of the receiver market with his $35MM-per-year Vikings pact, and his own value could be similar. Given the surge in lucrative receiver pacts signed by other top producers at the position recently, Lamb will have significant leverage after any potential Prescott deal is hammered out.
Of course, new agreements for either member of that pair will have to be made with Parsons in mind as well. Under contract in 2025 via his fifth-year option, Parsons is aiming to usurp Jefferson as the league’s top paid non-quarterback. The resources Dallas has available to meet that goal (likely next offseason) will largely depend on the progress made with Prescott and Lamb – in that order – during the near future.
I’d sign Parsons before anyone. For what Dak is looking for, I’d move him. He’s done nada and don’t see a reason that it will change. Heck, move him to Atlanta for Cousins and you’ll still get the same result, just cheaper.
Unfortunately, I don’t think they can trade him.
So pay Dak 55 mill. CeeDee and Micah. Other 35 mil. That would be about half of the salary cap. Might as well trade the rest of the team for draft picks
Jerry jones the master negotiator, consistently finds the best way to light the most money possible on fire.
If we had his money we could burn ours 🙂
Yes, but that’s not really the point. The point is he’s hurting the team by ensuring he pays the most money possible. Takes cap room away and makes the team worse.
Cowboys really messed this up…. They need to keep Parsons long term… Unless Dak is willing to take $40-$45MM a year (5 years guaranteed??), that roster is going to be in trouble…
People love to rag on Dak, but he’s a top ten quarterback. The Cowboys have put themselves in a no-win position. He’s paid so much in the first place because they franchised him twice. They can’t realistically try to push his price back down. They’re too good to likely get in striking distance to draft a high-level QB prospect, and quarterbacks as good as Prescott are almost never available on the open market while still in their prime. So what exactly would they do at QB otherwise? Combine that with still needing to extend Lamb (which would have been cheaper before all this offseason’s receiver deals) and needing to extend Parsons, who can realistically aim to be the highest paid non-QB in the league, and they’re in a tough position.
I really want to shed a tear for Jerry but gosh darn it all…I forgot to buy tissues when I went shopping earlier today.
I think that’s about right. He is top-10. But it feels like too many teams are paying premium dollars for good, but not great, QBs.
It’s too late for any moves, but imo, they should’ve tried to use Prescott trade chips, plus their own picks, to move up in the draft for their next QB. Then used the Prescott money to sign Lamb & Parsons.
I could see it in theory, but I don’t think any of the top three teams were budging, which means you would be spending a ton of resources to go from a top ten quarterback in the NFL to at best the fourth quarterback taken in the draft.
Good point.
Enough let dak show what he is. I’m pretty sure we know but let’s give home the year what’s the worst that happens he wins a super bowls na sleeves damn I would take it after 30 years
Obviously, I’m not a Cowboys fan. Would it be so horrible and let Dak walk and let Lance or someone else take over? To all Dallas fans. Do you really want Dak to stay? I’m being serious. What is Jerry thinking?
It’s fun watching Jerry paint himself into a corner .. good chance cowboys never win a bowl with dak .. but they can’t risk letting him go .. quite the conundrum