Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Can the Dallas Cowboys Keep Their Big Stars in the Offseason? Analyst Dives In

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Christian Alamodin | Last updated 2/21/24

Despite burning out in the Wild Card round, the Dallas Cowboys are still considered to be one of the stronger football teams in the NFL. While their playoff performances have been nothing short of disappointing, the team has always been one of the toughest to play against with Dak Prescott under center.

However, their status as one of the biggest teams in the NFC is at risk as they are at risk of two of their most important players. For many Cowboys fans, keeping these stars would be critical to winning their first Lombardi trophy in a while.

Dallas Cowboys face potential contract issues with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb

The Dallas Cowboys are yet to sign both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to long-term deals, and this is affecting the team’s overall strategy when it comes to filling out the roster.

FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano explained the problem with Prescott’s contract situation:

Prescott is entering the final year of a four-year, $160 million contract and he carries an untenable $59.5 million cap hit this season. The Cowboys have to reduce that and the only real way to do that is to give Prescott an extension. And since Prescott was an MVP candidate most of last season, is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, and will turn 31 in July, the going rate for him will surely be around $55 million per year.

They face the same dilemma with Lamb:

Lamb is scheduled to make $17.9 million in 2024 on the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Conceivably, a well-structured deal could chop $10 million off that cap number, which seemingly makes it an easy decision for a cap-strapped team like the Cowboys.

The two have been the offensive foundation for the Dallas Cowboys this past season, and giving them less than what they perceive as good money could see both of them walk in the offseason.

This is a tricky tightrope act that Jerry Jones should carefully navigate.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: