With an All-Pro wide receiver and a quarterback who is a perennial MVP candidate, the Dallas Cowboys have everything they need to win this season. They are among the NFL’s top pass rushers, too. But this year, they also stand to lose a great deal. Owner Jerry Jones has declined to extend the contract of head coach Mike McCarthy, who is in the last year of his current deal. The team’s expectations of the head coach have not been met, as evidenced by his 1-3 record in the NFL Playoffs since taking over.
Furthermore, the three players mentioned above—Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parson—are all eligible for significant contract extensions. Prescott in particular is expected to sign a contract whose total compensation, annual salary, and guaranteed money. could set records.
The Cowboys have stated clearly that they would prefer to extend their quarterback, but no deal has been reached as of yet. Meanwhile, contracts worth well over $50 million annually have been signed by two other NFL quarterbacks: Trevor Lawrence and Jared Goff.
Regarding Dallas’ situation with Prescott, the Lawrence contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars is particularly worrisome. The three-year veteran agreed to a huge $275 million, five-year contract that will pay him $55 million annually. This puts him in a tie with Cincinnati Bengals player Joe Burrow for the NFL’s highest yearly salary.
Prescott will naturally want (and receive) more money than Lawrence because, in the grand scheme of things, he is a better quarterback. It remains to be seen if the Cowboys will be able or willing to pay the asking price.
