CAP CONUNDRUM
Dallas Cowboys boss playing ‘Houdini’ as team attempts to tie down Dak Prescott and co-stars ahead of NFL season
The future of head coach McCarthy is one of the many questions marks surrounding Dallas
THE Dallas Cowboys front office is taking on the daunting task of negotiating not one, not two, but three major deals at once.
Quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and linebacker Micah Parsons are all coming to the ends of their current contracts.
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Prescott and Lamb will hit free agency after the upcoming season, while Parsons will have a further year remaining on his rookie deal.
Now with training camp rapidly approaching, the Cowboys look set to begin with these major question marks looming over their heads - not to mention the uncertainty surrounding head coach Mike McCarthy.
Cowboys COO and co-owner Stephen Jones recently admitted that they are facing an uphill battle as they attempt to keep a hold of their biggest stars.
"Well, those things take time," he told The Athletics' Scoop City.
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"And we're talking about deals here. You know when you're talking about CeeDee and Dak and you know somebody like Micah coming up."
He added: "I mean you're talking about two players that aren't quarterbacks that feel like they ought to be a little bit like Jefferson - the top-paid non-quarterbacks in the league," referring to the Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson.
Jefferson's new four-year deal signed in June is worth an eye-watering $140 million - $35 million annually.
This makes him the highest-earning non-quarterback in the NFL.
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As for Prescott, Jones said "his resume speaks for itself," noting that he was a runner-up in MVP voting in 2023, adding to what has already been "an extraordinary career here in Dallas."
"Those things just take time when you're talking about the amount of money involved," he added.
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"And of course, we're trying to a little bit play Houdini in how to keep all these guys around Dak and keep these players we were fortunate enough to draft."
Jones described the situation as "a challenge," noting that this didn't mean it wasn't possible, "But you gotta have some give and take."
He pointed out that they also have hefty wage bills elsewhere to work around - specifically noting Zack Martin, Trevon Diggs, and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Despite these hurdles, Jones was "optimistic" that deals could be struck, mentioning that they are continually negotiating with Prescott and his team.
NFL important dates
August 1 - Hall of Fame Game - Houston Texans vs Chicago Bears
August 8 - Pre-season begins
August 27 - Deadline for 53-man rosters
September 1 - Final day of pre-season
September 5 - Season opener - Baltimore Ravens vs Kansas City Chiefs
November 5 - Trade deadline
January 5 - Week 18 of regular-season
January 11 - Playoffs begin
February 9 - Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Louisiana
However, in a perhaps ominous side point, he compared their situation to that of the Kansas City Chiefs with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Jones cited how they opted to part ways with high-priced receiver Tyreek Hill and defensive back L'Jarius Sneed due to cap constraints.
As things stand, Prescott is set to pocket just under $55.5 million this upcoming season.
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Lamb will earn $17.9 million in the final year of his rookie deal, while Parsons is set to earn $5.4 million.
The Cowboys will kick off training camp on July 24, with their first preseason game scheduled for August 11 at the Los Angeles Rams.
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