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After a quiet offseason thus far, the Dallas Cowboys are ready to go “all in” at the 2024 NFL Draft. Those were the words that owner Jerry Jones used, at least, as he answered questions from the media in the lead-up to Thursday’s first round. Naturally, the focus shifted to Dak Prescott and the team’s long-term salary cap structure.
The speculation surrounding the quarterback’s contract situation is only going to intensify as the year progresses. His potential free agency following the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign will surely command the national spotlight all seasonlong. Jones does not feel like there is any need for such drama, however. He is expressing explicit trust in the man who has been entrusted to lead this franchise since 2016.
“We want Dak Prescott,” Jones said on Tuesday, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill Jr. “That’s that.”
Pretty simple, right? Wrong. Although Dallas continues to publicly commit to the three-time Pro Bowl selection, retaining him in the long term is going to entail sacrifices to be made elsewhere on the roster. This saga, which is admittedly drama-free right now, comes during a time when the Cowboys must also address the contracts of two of their other game-changing talents.
There are two stars in particular who fans desperately want to remain in Dallas for the next several seasons. Figuring out how to perform close to its ceiling in the playoffs is not the team’s biggest concern anymore. Keeping the core together is destined to be the cause of countless migraines, both within the front office and the fandom.
How will Cowboys proceed with Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb?
To the Cowboys’ credit, they have built a balanced roster that checks most of the important boxes. They have an All-Pro pass rusher, star wide receiver, premium cornerback when healthy and a capable quarterback who just enjoyed an MVP-caliber campaign. But the pieces are not coming together to form a worthwhile postseason puzzle that stumps their opponents.
Instead, it is the Cowboys who are perpetually perplexed when it matters most. The regular season accolades are not carrying over into the playoffs. Hence, paying the top guys becomes a more arduous task for Jones. Nevertheless, it is difficult to envision Dallas not signing Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb to contract extensions.
They feel like mainstays on this franchise, given their age and credentials. Replacing their production is also not easy since the team is picking later in the draft. The organization is taking its time, though.
“Jerry Jones said the Cowboys are playing option quarterback with contract negotiations with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons,” Hill posted on X. Those are probably not quite the reassuring words fans would prefer to hear from the Dallas boss.
Banking on everything to just fall into place is ill-advised. Stressful negotiations are bound to occur in the coming months. The last thing this squad needs are distractions. That is the plight of the high-stakes underachiever, however. If the Cowboys earned a signature playoff win or two in this century, perhaps these matters would be resolved by now.
Instead, the wait for both renewed postseason prosperity and extensions for Prescott, Parsons and Lamb carries forward. Maybe a triumphant showing in the 2024 NFL Draft can alleviate some of the anxiety permeating Dallas.
More must-reads:
- J.J. Watt has interesting comments on possibility of playing in 2024
- Former All-Pro CB medically cleared for football activities
- The 'AP First-Team All-Pro tight ends' quiz
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