BREAKING NEWS : The Dallas Cowboys’ problems for 2025: salary cap and Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s contracts … see more
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL, with a rich history of success, controversies, and high-profile players. As they approach the 2025 season, however, they face some significant challenges that could shape the future of the franchise for years to come. Two of the most prominent issues facing the Cowboys in the near future are the salary cap and the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
This article will dive into these key issues and explore how the Dallas Cowboys could navigate these obstacles in order to maintain their competitive edge and continue to build a championship-caliber roster.
### **1. The Salary Cap Conundrum: How the Cowboys Are Positioned for 2025**
Every NFL team is bound by a salary cap, which sets a ceiling on how much money they can spend on player salaries in a given year. While the cap figure varies from year to year, it is expected to reach around $240 million for the 2025 season. However, the Cowboys already face some major challenges in terms of their cap space, which could limit their ability to make key signings or retain valuable players.
#### **A Tight Cap Situation in 2025**
In 2025, the Cowboys are projected to have over $200 million in player salaries committed to just a few key players. This includes the aforementioned contracts of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, as well as others like defensive star Micah Parsons, offensive tackle Tyron Smith, and linebacker Leighton Vander Esch. All these players are integral to the Cowboys’ success, but they come with hefty price tags that put considerable strain on the salary cap.
One of the primary reasons the Cowboys’ salary cap could become an issue is their heavy reliance on the big contracts of their superstar players. These deals have been structured with the intent of winning now, but they may come back to bite the team in the long run. The Cowboys will have limited flexibility to make other moves without cutting or restructuring deals for existing players.
#### **The Role of Dead Money**
The Cowboys are no strangers to creating what is known as “dead money” on their salary cap. This occurs when a player is cut or traded, but the team still owes money due to the way the contract was structured. In many cases, teams like the Cowboys take advantage of this strategy in the short term, knowing they will need to deal with the financial consequences later.
As 2025 approaches, the Cowboys will likely have significant dead money on their books, especially in the case of long-term contracts for aging veterans or players who have underperformed. For example, contracts for older players like Tyron Smith and others who may be nearing the end of their careers could result in substantial dead money if they are cut or traded.
This dead money could significantly impact the Cowboys’ ability to bring in new talent or retain key players. The team will need to be strategic in how they manage these contracts and restructure deals to free up cap space. Otherwise, they could be forced into difficult decisions that affect the roster’s depth and quality.
#### **Managing the Cap: What the Cowboys Must Do**
To manage their salary cap, the Cowboys will need to make some tough decisions. They may be forced to release or trade certain players, renegotiate contracts, or restructure deals to free up money for other priorities. This process is always delicate because the Cowboys risk alienating players or damaging their long-term financial flexibility.
One avenue the team could explore is the possibility of restructuring existing contracts to spread out the cap hits over multiple years. For instance, Prescott’s and Lamb’s contracts could be restructured to free up cap space in the short term, allowing the team to add more pieces to the roster.
However, while restructuring contracts can provide immediate relief, it often creates larger cap issues down the road. The Cowboys would need to weigh the short-term benefits of cap relief against the long-term financial consequences.
In addition, the Cowboys could explore the possibility of extending certain key players to keep their cap hits manageable while keeping them under contract for the future. This could apply to rising stars like Micah Parsons, who could demand a significant contract extension in the coming years.
Ultimately, managing the salary cap will require a careful balancing act for the Cowboys’ front office. They must ensure that the team remains competitive in 2025 while also positioning themselves for sustained success beyond that year.
### **2. Dak Prescott’s Contract: The Quarterback Quandary**
Dak Prescott’s contract has been one of the most-discussed topics surrounding the Cowboys in recent years. In 2025, Prescott’s deal will be a focal point for the team’s financial flexibility and their ability to build a championship-caliber roster.
#### **Prescott’s 2025 Contract Situation**
Dak Prescott signed a four-year, $160 million deal with the Cowboys in 2021, a contract that included a record-setting $66 million signing bonus. However, by the time 2025 rolls around, Prescott’s contract will be approaching its final year, and he will be due a significant $47 million cap hit.
That figure could be problematic for the Cowboys, who would like to maintain financial flexibility to surround Prescott with the talent he needs to succeed. The question facing the team is whether Prescott’s performance in the 2023 and 2024 seasons justifies such a high cap hit.
If Prescott continues to play at a high level, it could be worth keeping him at that price, as he has shown flashes of elite play. However, if his performance declines or if the team struggles to make deep playoff runs, the Cowboys may be forced to rework Prescott’s deal or even explore the possibility of moving on from him.
#### **Restructuring or Extending Prescott?**
The most likely scenario is that the Cowboys will restructure Prescott’s deal to lower his cap hit in 2025 while keeping him under contract for the long term. If Prescott continues to perform well and stays healthy, it’s probable that the team will seek to extend him for several more years, which would spread out his cap hit over a longer period.
However, this presents another risk: extending Prescott for several more years could lock the Cowboys into a long-term financial commitment to a quarterback who may not be able to elevate the team to the next level.
The Cowboys’ front office will have to closely evaluate Prescott’s performance, as well as their options in the 2025 NFL Draft and beyond, to determine the best course of action for the franchise’s future.
### **3. CeeDee Lamb’s Contract: A Rising Star With a Big Payday Ahead**
CeeDee Lamb has emerged as one of the NFL’s brightest young stars at wide receiver, and his contract situation will be another major storyline for the Cowboys heading into 2025.
#### **Lamb’s Status as a Top Receiver**
Lamb, a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has quickly become Dak Prescott’s go-to target. By 2025, he will have likely established himself as one of the NFL’s top wide receivers, and his next contract will reflect that status.
Lamb’s rookie contract runs through 2023, with the Cowboys holding a fifth-year option for 2024. By 2025, he will be entering the final year of that option, and the Cowboys will face the decision of whether to extend him before he hits free agency or risk letting him go to another team.
#### **A Potential Contract Extension**
Lamb’s performance over the next couple of years will play a significant role in determining his value. If Lamb continues to develop into one of the league’s elite receivers, he will command a massive extension. The Cowboys will need to consider how much they are willing to allocate to Lamb’s contract, especially considering their existing cap constraints.
Given the rise in salary cap and the increasing market for top-tier wide receivers, Lamb could easily command a contract in the range of $20 million to $30 million per year. This would make him one of the highest-paid players at his position, and it would undoubtedly strain the Cowboys’ salary cap even further.
To manage this situation, the Cowboys may need to get creative with their financial planning. They could either extend Lamb ahead of time, locking him into a more favorable deal for both sides, or they could allow him to play out the final years of his rookie deal and risk losing him to free agency.
In either case, securing Lamb for the long term will be crucial for the Cowboys’ offensive success. Prescott and Lamb have developed strong chemistry, and their connection will be a key factor in any playoff runs the Cowboys make over the next few seasons.
### **4. Looking Ahead: How the Cowboys Can Navigate These Challenges**
To navigate these financial challenges and maintain their status as championship contenders, the Cowboys’ front office must act strategically in the coming years. Here are a few potential solutions they may explore:
#### **A Balanced Approach to Free Agency and Drafting**
The Cowboys will need to be more judicious in their approach to free agency, focusing on low-risk, high-reward signings while avoiding excessive long-term commitments that could hinder their cap flexibility. They will also need to continue to draft well, as the draft is one area where teams can find talent without significantly impacting the cap.
#### **Careful Contract Management**
Managing the contracts of Prescott, Lamb, and other key players will be critical. The Cowboys may need to structure contracts to provide short-term cap relief while ensuring that the long-term future remains intact. They may also need to cut or trade players who are no longer performing at a high level to free up space.
#### **Financial Flexibility Through Restructuring**
The Cowboys will likely explore restructuring deals to create cap space in the short term, but they must be careful not to push too much of their financial burden into the future. These decisions will require careful planning and foresight to ensure the team remains competitive
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