In the midst of the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a state of contract limbo with key players Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons.
As the trio eyes long-term extensions, team owner Jerry Jones has shouldered the responsibility for the ongoing impasse, expressing no signs of discontent despite the lack of progress.
With Prescott’s contract set to expire after the upcoming season and Lamb playing on a fifth-year option, the urgency to secure their futures looms large. Parsons, with two years remaining on his rookie deal, awaits his turn for negotiations.
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Despite Prescott’s stellar performance, where he amassed 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns last season, talks regarding his contract have seen minimal advancement.
Nonetheless, Jones maintains an active involvement in the negotiation process he told ESPN.
“You may be working on [contracts] and not moving anything but your eyebrows,” Jones said. “Who in the world would think that we’re not working on it? I work on it. It pops up at 2 in the morning sometimes.
“What you’re actually questioning is why don’t you have something done and negotiated and put in the drawer? Well, we’d like to see some more leaves fall. We’d like to see some more action.”
Prescott, emphasizing patience, demonstrates a willingness to forego claiming the highest-paid quarterback title, currently held by Joe Burrow, in favor of a fair deal.
Meanwhile, Lamb, fresh off a career-high season, awaits clarity on his future earnings, with Tyreek Hill commanding the highest receiver salary in the league.
Parsons, entering his fourth season, possesses more time for negotiation but anticipates joining his teammates among the league’s highest-paid players.
However, the uncertainty surrounding the timing and terms of these extensions prevails, with market dynamics driving up player valuations.
Jones’ cautious approach, while aimed at avoiding financial missteps, risks escalating costs in the long run.
Nonetheless, he remains steadfast in his belief that prudent timing will avert potential errors, underscoring the complexity of securing lucrative deals in today’s NFL landscape.
“If you’re asking me do I worry about things going up? Not worry, but I probably have as good a feel as anybody living on this earth what the cap is going to be three years from now, four years from now, five years from now,” Jones said. “I really do. We’ve got exceptional insight into where the cap is going to be more so than a lot of people.”
As the offseason progresses, the resolution of these negotiations will not only shape the Cowboys’ roster but also offer insight into the evolving dynamics of player compensation in professional football.
