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On the surface, CeeDee Lamb’s four-year, $136 million contract extension looks like a huge win for the Dallas Cowboys.
But after the initial fist pumps and celebratory high-fives, there may be a realization that the Cowboys are not out of the woods yet, as quarterback Dak Prescott will receive a larger contract extension than Lamb if he re-signs, which in turn could further complicate reaching a long-term deal with star wide receiver Micah Parsons next season.
Spotrac values Prescott’s The market value is about $55.1 million per season, which is his salary cap hit in 2024, but some in league circles believe he could be the NFL’s first $60 million player.
Dallas knows the longer Prescott goes unsigned, the more expensive he’ll be in the long run, which is why the team is trying to get his signing done before the regular season begins, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“They’re going to try to beat Prescott before Week 1 and double down on those two guys, invest a lot of money,” Fowler said. Via SB Nation. “It’s unclear if they can pull it off. Prescott … he knows exactly how good he can be in free agency if he can hang in there, play well again, put up a great QBR, and then sign in March for $60 million a year.”
The Cowboys have just over $30 million in cap space in 2025 and, once Lamb’s new money arrives, nearly $147 million in 2026. Dallas has a way to sign Prescott and Parsons next offseason, but it will require creativity.
For example, restructuring tackle Terrence Steele’s contract next year will free up $9 million, cutting safety Donovan Wilson after June 1 will free up $7 million in cap space, and re-signing Parsons will free up about $16 million. The real challenge comes in 2026, however.
Parsons Market Value With an expected salary of about $30.6 million per year, if Prescott signs for $60 million per year (which would also hit a $40.13 million cap hit by 2025 if he leaves Dallas), the Cowboys would have to find a way to justify nearly $124 million, or about 68% of their cap space, split among three players.
It can be done, but then people start to seriously question the quality of the team the Cowboys have built around those three.
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