The Dallas Cowboys face the challenge of managing their finances to retain key players like quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and edge rusher Micah Parsons. Stephen Jones, the team’s chief operating officer and co-owner, emphasized the complexity of this task.
“When you talk about CeeDee and Dak, and someone like Micah coming up,” Jones said on The Athletic’s “Scoop City” podcast, “you’re looking at players who, like Justin Jefferson, want to be among the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the league.”
“Dak, of course, speaks for himself with his impressive resume,” Jones added. “He was runner-up for MVP last year and has had an exceptional career with us in Dallas.
Managing the financial aspects takes time, especially with the substantial sums involved. We’re trying to be a bit like Houdini in finding ways to keep these players around Dak, players we were fortunate to draft.”
Jones acknowledged the significant financial commitment ahead for the Cowboys, particularly in light of Jefferson’s recent contract extension with the Vikings. Last month, Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million deal, setting a new benchmark for non-quarterbacks in the NFL.
“It’s a challenge when you line them up like that,” Jones remarked about potential contracts for Prescott, Lamb, and Parsons. “It’s not impossible, but you have to find some middle ground to make it work.
“You look at the Vikings and what they did with Jefferson’s big receiver deal. Other than Jefferson, no one on their team makes over $20 million.
“We have big contracts with Dak, and then Diggs, Zack Martin, and DeMarcus Lawrence. Many of our players earn significant salaries, but that’s not an excuse.
“We believe we can accomplish this, we know we can. But it will take time.”
Prescott, aged 30, is in the last year of a $160 million, four-year contract extension that will cost the Cowboys $55.5 million in salary cap this season.
Lamb, aged 25, will play in 2024 under a $17.99 million fifth-year option. Parsons, also aged 25, has a year remaining on a $17.1 million, four-year rookie contract, with the Cowboys exercising their $21.3 million option for 2025, making him available for an extension.
