Cowboys owner/president/general manager Jerry Jones is starting to tip his hand. All offseason, we have watched the market for quarterbacks and wide receivers be reset as other teams across the NFL pay their players, some of whom were not free agents and still had time left on their contracts. All the while, Dallas has been negotiating, leaving quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and outside linebacker Micah Parsons as some of the few players with unresolved contract issues. 
In an interview today, Jones clued us in as to why the Cowboys seem to be resting on their laurels while the rest of the league signs their players. DallasCowboys.com writer Nick Harris provided the full quote.
“Well, again, we’re just continuing to talk,” Jones started before getting to the point at hand. “The thing is there, since we’re really (nearing) in-season, practicing, doing all those things, we’re operating under the existing contract really good.
“One of the things that the fans should really understand is that, nine times out of ten, these are existing contracts that you have in place. You should be able to operate under those, but we’ve gotten it now in the NFL — other teams are dealing with it — with some time on the contract, you still might have a contract discussion. And that’s what we’re doing. None of us — player or team — want to hurt the preparation or likelihood of playing at your best.”
There it is. It’s seemed as if the Cowboys are sitting on their hands in terms of extending their three stars because Jones seemingly wants the players to honor the remainder of their contracts before taking extension conversations seriously. On its surface, this seems like a reasonable expectation, until the flipside shows teams cutting veterans with multiple years left on their contracts because they don’t want to be beholden to the cap figures they agreed to.
It’s strange to see Jones play ignorant to the concept that there is value in keeping your star players happy by offering them security and a raise above what they are already owed. One of the league’s most-talented defenders, Parsons is set to be paid as the 76th highest-paid edge rusher (in terms of annual average contract value) in the NFL in 2024. He’ll receive $2.99MM in cash this year. Lamb is set up a little better with his fifth-year option paying him $17.99MM this year, though that amount would qualify as the 25th-highest annual average for receivers in the league.
Prescott is rightfully content to play out the 2024 season on his current deal, as he’ll receive $34MM in cash this year, but one might think that his $55.13MM cap hit in 2024 might encourage Jones to work out a new deal to reduce his cap impact. The team has already shoveled $54.14MM of Prescott’s cap numbers into future void seasons, so perhaps Jones is hesitant to dig the future hole even deeper.
Jones already voiced a lack of urgency in extending Lamb. The holdout receiver could do nothing but laugh on social media as a response. Jones’ comments today concerning Prescott’s situation indicate more of the same. While other teams are attempting to stay ahead of the ever-inflating contract numbers around the NFL, Jones is keeping his wallet closed for now. Jones even blamed some of his tight-purse tendencies on the NFL’s DirecTV case that could involve a large payout from the league.
Regardless, it seems evident that, at the very least, an extension for Prescott will not likely occur before the start of the regular season. Parsons seemed to be on a lower priority level than Prescott, so he will likely have to wait, as well. As for Lamb? He continues to hold out as offers are proffered and rejected. While media pundits seem to think that Lamb will be out there for Week 1, Jones’ continued nonchalance in negotiating could end up forcing Lamb to continue his holdout into the regular season.
I actually agree with Jerry. Let these players live up to the contracts they signed. It’s guaranteed money. I’m getting sick of these players signing deals and then wanting to renegotiate whenever they please.
And the author of this should be ashamed in his pro player stance. It’s so blatant.
Report the news. Hell, report the rumors. That’s the name of this site. But stop adding your opinion into the article. Especially as it’s so one sided.
Such a wildly out of touch with reality take. One might almost think it came from one of Jerry Jones’ burner accounts.
So you think Jamarr Chase should work for $1M this year, when his contemporaries are making $28-33M? Or Parsons for $3M, or Aiyuk for $14M? A contract is only valid if both sides agree, and that means for the entire duration. Contracts can be changed, and routinely are changed. Owners can cut players anytime (and they do). Not extending a player or coach in their last year is a sign of disrespect. Would you want to work for an employer who massively underpays their employees? No, you wouldn’t, so don’t expect them to either.
Take it up with the union. Rookie contracts are collectively bargained.
I get your point but the NFL isn’t MLB where contracts are guaranteed. A guy can be signed for 5 years but that deal is probably guaranteed for 3. The salary cap is so hard to understand I quit trying.
I am on Jerry’s side for the most part… Just an ego thing for the players… considering taxes in Texas are so low a few million here or there should not matter. As far as Prescott he does not deserve big money.. . Has any QB on a team this talented done so little when it counts ?
If owners want players to honor contracts then the owners also have to honor contracts and not cut guys because they can this is why players keep asking for raises because they can be cut at anytime.
If players don’t want to be subject to being cut without any guaranteed money left they can sign shorter deals. Right now, in exchange for what are effectively team options at the end of deals, the players get bigger signing bonuses and salaries in the early years of their deal.