The Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of a deep crisis that is even more acute because of the money they have invested to make this campaign the story that fans have dreamed of for years: to see the Cowboys back in the Super Bowl.
But the delusion does not end there, as the franchise is already very aware of the problems that are coming for 2025.
Cowboys extend Prescott and Lamb contracts with historic sums
The Dallas Cowboys have secured Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to contract extensions, but this could have serious implications for next season.
The quarterback signed a four-year, $240 million contract extension, becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history.
At the end of the 2024 regular season, Dak Prescott will take home $81.25 million, of which $75.458 million is a signing bonus, and by March 2027, $231 million will be guaranteed.
On the other hand, Lamb has signed a four-year extension worth $136 million, according to multiple reports. The deal includes $100 million in guaranteed money and a record $38 million signing bonus for a wide receiver, making Lamb the second-highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The salary cap and Dallas’ problems for next season
The fact that this pair of players are being locked into exorbitant contracts could impact the Cowboys’ ability to retain other players, or add pieces via free agency.
The Cowboys have long used slices of a pie as a metaphor for the salary cap. There are only so many slices, and as a result, the more a player takes, the less there is for the rest, making it difficult to keep a good roster intact.
The length of the contract matters almost as much to the Cowboys as the money. The longer the deal, the more flexibility they have with respect to the salary cap, but players want shorter deals so they can potentially cash in again in a short period of time.