The Dallas Cowboys appear to be sticking with the same star players that led them to a fantastic regular season finish in 2023 but an early exit out of the playoffs, which has become far too common for Jerry Jones.
Dak Prescott had one of his best NFL seasons and the chemistry on offense between Mike McCarthy calling plays, the starting signal caller and the emergence of CeeDee Lamb cementing himself as a true No. 1 WR has been a significant bright spot for Cowboys fans.
Prescott ended the regular season ranked in the top five in several major categories for NFL QBs and was the frontrunner for MVP for most of the year. He closed out the 2023 campaign with 4,516 yards (3rd), 36 touchdowns (1st), 9 interceptions and a QB rating of 72.5 (2nd).
More importantly, the Dallas Cowboys finally got the production they have been seeking from CeeDee Lamb, who earned First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career. Lamb finished the season with 135 receptions (first in the NFL), 1,749 yards (second), 12 touchdowns (third) and averaged 13 yards per catch. He had eight games with more than 100 yards receiving, including an absolutely dominant performance against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 30 with 13 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown.
The major narrative heading into the offseason is whether Dak Prescott is capable of leading this team deep into the playoffs.
Now Jerry Jones and the Cowboys brass find themselves in an all-too familiar position. With Prescott nearing the end of his last major contract extension, Dallas has to either sign him to a new long-term deal to help free cap space for 2024, or release him after June 1 which would save almost $30 million on next year’s cap number but the team would lose a massive chunk of change in dead money owed to the one-time hopeful franchise QB.
Jerry Jones recently said the Cowboys will go “as far as Dak takes us” so it’s highly unlikely they decide to make a move with their franchise quarterback.
In a way, the h Dallas Cowboys have painted themselves into a corner when it comes to Dak Prescott.. He has a no-trade clause in his deal, so he can’t necessarily be dealt. They owe him $59 million in 2024, which gives him a lot of leverage in negotiations—at worst, he can walk away from the table and the Cowboys will have to pay him that money. Again, a cut is a longshot here.
Ultimately, Cowboys Insider K.D. Drummond believes Jones and company will sign Prescott to a long-term extension to free up salary cap space and hope for the best come playoff time.
There’s really no other logical other option. Prescott is set to earn roughly $57 million per year and it’s likely Dallas pays him.
“I think that’s what’s in store for Prescott, whether it is a four-year or a five-year deal,” Drummond said.
Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb Makes Bold Claim About Him And Dak Prescott
CeeDee Lamb surpassed Michael Irvin for the most receiving yards in a season and touchdowns in the same year, setting a new franchise record that has been in tact since 1995.
But much like Prescott, Lamb is coming up on a contract extension.
During Sunday’s Pro Bowl in Orlando, Lamb was asked about his relationship and chemistry with Dak Prescott.
.@DallasCowboys WR CeeDee Lamb discussed the chemistry he has with QB Dak Prescott…
"We're definitely one of the top duos, if not the best QB-WR duo in the league."
📻 https://t.co/u2cRkasH7n#ProBowlGames | #DallasCowboys | @_CeeDeeThree pic.twitter.com/2R5ywpmp1u
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) February 4, 2024
“We’re definitely one of the top duos, if not the best QB-WR duo in the league,” CeeDee Lamb said,
The Dallas Cowboys have Lamb under contract for one more season thanks to his fifth-year option, which will see his salary cap hit rise substantially. After that, though, they’ll have to back up the Brinks truck to keep him in Dallas.