OXNARD, Calif. — The Dallas Cowboys are facing a complex situation with three of their star players’ contracts – quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and linebacker Micah Parsons.
All three players are in various stages of negotiations with the team for new deals. If the Cowboys extend all three, they will have three of the highest-paid players in their positions on the roster simultaneously.
The negotiations for all three players are interconnected, and the Cowboys need to navigate the cap space challenges to keep them in Dallas long-term. Here’s what we’ve learned from league sources after spending time at the Cowboys’ training camp:
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Prescott has been impressive in camp, showing great performance during practices. However, his contract situation presents a unique challenge. He is in the final year of his current contract and has a significant cap hit due to void years and a prior restructure. Negotiating an extension for him involves complex cap implications, especially considering the current market value for quarterbacks.
Despite market trends, Prescott is seeking a deal above the new standard of $55 million annually for quarterbacks. The Cowboys are keen on keeping Prescott long-term, but the negotiations have hurdles due to cap constraints.
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Lamb has made progress in negotiations with the Cowboys, although an agreement is not imminent. He is currently operating under his fifth-year option and is seeking a contract that reflects his performance and market value.
Parsons’ contract talks are on hold for now, but he is eligible for an extension. The Cowboys have exercised his fifth-year option, but his price tag could rise if he continues to perform well.
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The Cowboys face the challenge of managing premium-priced contracts for their star players across different positions. They must balance financial constraints with keeping a competitive roster.
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(Photo of CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons: Richard Rodriguez / Getty Images)