Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have new contracts that could keep the star quarterback and receiver together with the Dallas Cowboys for at least five more years.
The next player up for a big deal is pass rusher Micah Parsons, who aims to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
Prescott’s new contract is the richest guaranteed deal in the NFL, with a $60 million average per year and a total of $240 million over four years. This deal was finalized just before the Cowboys’ season opener, where they beat Cleveland 33-17 on the road.
The contract includes a record $231 million in guaranteed money, but owner Jerry Jones is confident that the Cowboys can continue to build competitive teams and aim for the playoffs.
“My assessment of where we’re going to be going in the future, we’re going to be able to handle this,” Jones said.
“We’re going to be able to get players around (Prescott) that give us a chance to compete for a Super Bowl. He was our best chance at getting one.”
The Cowboys haven’t advanced past the NFC divisional round of the playoffs since their last Super Bowl win in the 1995 season.
Prescott’s playoff record, now 2-5, includes a tough loss from last January. The 48-32 home wild-card defeat to Green Bay added to the criticism of Prescott, who had previously been compared to Tony Romo, a quarterback known for strong regular seasons but limited playoff success.
The lengthy negotiation for Prescott’s deal led to questions about whether he would prove to be a different story from Romo, who struggled to lead the Cowboys deep into the playoffs before Prescott took over.
