There are a lot of question marks surrounding the Dallas Cowboys entering the 2024 training camp. Two of their key players, quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, are awaiting contract extensions.
While Dak Prescott has been present at team activities this offseason, Lamb has not. He is seeking a contract that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL at his position.
The same thing will probably occur for Dak Prescott given the quarterback market boom. This offseason, Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence signed massive extensions, while Kirk Cousins received a large contract in free agency.
Along with Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers and Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins, the Dallas Cowboys signal-caller is next. But, there are some concerns, in the opinion of Greg Cosell, that could be playing into why negotiations have gone on so long.
“They do not have a run game…Dak is the style of QB he needs a complete offense and run game to be effective…” Cosell said during an appearance on The Ross Tucker Podcast.
Cosell is certainly correct in his assessment of the running game currently in Dallas. Ezekiel Elliott wasn’t retained in 2023 because of his production decreasing. A year away with the New England Patriots didn’t result in a jump in production.
Without an elite offensive line and strong run game, pressure will be on Prescott to elevate this offense. His track record to this point would lean toward him being unable to rise to the occasion.
If there is any team in the NFL that is aware of the shortcomings Dak Prescott has playing quarterback, it is the Dallas Cowboys. Could they be hesitant to hand him a long-term deal knowing circumstances for him to succeed aren’t ideal currently?
Committing a massive contract to Dak Prescott, which would almost assuredly cost $55+ million annually, would put the Dallas Cowboys in a tough spot with the salary cap. It is a highwire act the franchise is currently looking to pull off without a safety net underneath.
There is currently no contingency plan in place for life after Dak Prescott. He and his camp know that which could be partly why they are okay waiting things out.
The quarterback market isn’t going to be getting any cheaper. The longer the Dallas Cowboys wait to get a deal done, the more expensive his contract will be. If they don’t give him a long-term contract, a team will certainly be willing to in free agency in 2025.
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