The Dallas Cowboys, often likened to a rollercoaster, experienced a significant turnaround in contract negotiations as owner and general manager Jerry Jones demonstrated his ability to close deals amid uncertainty. At 81 years old, Jones managed to secure a four-year, $136 million extension for All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had been holding out during the offseason for a long-term deal. Prior to the Cowboys’ preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers, outlooks seemed grim, with Jones expressing uncertainty about the situation.
“I don’t have any updates but we are near the season starting,” Jones remarked, suggesting urgency without directly acknowledging it. Following this pivotal moment, he converted the sentiment into action by finalizing Lamb’s contract, which places Lamb’s average annual salary at $34 million, making him the second-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL, surpassed only by Justin Jefferson.
Team head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the urgency felt on both sides. “This is business,” he said after the game, alluding to the need to finalize negotiations promptly.
With Lamb’s contract settled, attention now shifts to re-signing quarterback Dak Prescott, who led the league in passing touchdowns last season. The Cowboys’ Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Jones, indicated ongoing negotiations with Prescott that remain amicable.
Despite the progress, the latest comments from Jerry Jones suggested that talks with Prescott were not yet at a conclusion. “We’re just continuing to talk,” he said, noting that existing contracts should enable preparation without disruption despite ongoing discussions.
Following Lamb’s signing, the Cowboys are looking to rekindle negotiations with Prescott before the regular season begins on September 8 against the Cleveland Browns. Prescott’s contract includes both a no-trade clause and a no-franchise-tag clause, granting him significant leverage as he nears unrestricted free agency in March 2025.
Stephen Jones highlighted the team’s commitment to Prescott, stating, “We look at it like Dak’s our partner in this.” As the Cowboys strive for championship success, they are aware of the need to offer Prescott a contract that reflects his value in the market.
Although there are concerns about the Cowboys’ ability to allocate funds for Prescott, Lamb, and rising star Micah Parsons, projections show Dallas could have ample cap space in the coming years, potentially easing financial constraints. Now that Prescott knows he can count on Lamb as a key target, the hope is that both he and the Jones family will find common ground that leads to a deal in the near future.