Before the season even began, the Dallas Cowboys’ most compelling narrative had nothing to do with what happened on the field. Rather, a lot of attention is being paid to several Cowboys players’ contracts through 2024.
After that, other important players’ retirement prospects are also being discussed, as is the case with All-Pro Zack Martin.
Dak Prescott is a quarterback who is entering the last year of his contract. The current MVP runner-up will ask for as much as $60 million if he is allowed to go free.
In direct contrast to him, fellow All-Pro and top target CeeDee Lamb is actively pursuing a deal of his own.
#Cowboys star WR CeeDee Lamb has not been spotted in Dallas for mandatory minicamp, sources say. Lamb has not been present for voluntary OTAs, but is not reporting to minicamp, which subjects a player to fines.
Lamb seeks a new contract extension. pic.twitter.com/gw2M4Q1Et8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2024
There are more names than that, as we shall talk about, and that is a serious issue for Dallas.
The Jones family may be OK with the current state of affairs, but spending money and acting swiftly will still be necessary to resolve the issues surrounding the Cowboys players’ contracts.
Because it is improbable that they would hang onto everyone due to “financial constraints,” even if they manage to accomplish that, let’s discuss who is most likely to depart.
Traded by Blockbuster Micah Parsons?
A friend of mine asked me last night which of the three Cowboys big three who need new contracts would be traded.
I’ve seen a number of fans provide this response. Though it seems more likely to trade CeeDee Lamb or let Prescott depart, I have a feeling Micah Parsons would be the better choice.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy was asked if Micah Parsons has missed an opportunity to elevate teammates by missing parts of spring past two years. “I think anytime you have a chance to be together, it’s an opportunity to improve, whether it’s in the mental realm, the physical… pic.twitter.com/erv6VeNlBR
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) May 30, 2024
We have been hearing whispers of the Cowboys’ mounting frustration with the superstar for what seems like forever.
Is all of that just noise?
Naturally, and even in the unlikely event that it weren’t, that doesn’t imply they would want to trade for one of the league’s top defensive players. It seems to me that this is something that needs to be closely watched.
On the offensive side, the star players’ contracts will probably begin with Prescott before attempting to negotiate a deal with Lamb. Dallas might have to pay the two players about $90 million a year if both contracts are finalized.
Zack Martin is still that dude. pic.twitter.com/nHG96k7msS
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) December 1, 2023
I would only be startled that a time-traveler was speaking to me if they revealed to me that the Cowboys were trying to switch their focus to Parsons, acquire several first-round picks, and more in order to avoid having to pay three guys more than $125 million annually.
Parsons might wind up being a serious contender to depart the Cowboys after 2024, particularly if the front office’s cost is more than his “character flaws.”
Is Zack Martin Planning to Retire?
A world in which Zack Martin is not the Dallas Cowboys’ starting right guard is one that I am not prepared for.
.@HDouglas83 believes Dak Prescott is the best QB in the NFC right now 😤 pic.twitter.com/IIGoWIniiw
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 11, 2024
Regretfully, it appears that sooner rather than later, we may have to face that fact. Cowboys supporters are not amused by what the future first-ballot Hall of Famer has said about his intention to retire at the end of this season.
After this season, Martin has stated that retirement is “in the realm of possibilities.”
It is difficult to disagree with his retirement policy at 34 years old given his impeccable record. Martin’s career is over and he has nothing more to prove.
The problem is that the Cowboys still need him badly on their roster.
He does not yet have a successor in place.
Is Tyler Smith able to take his place by moving over? Yes, but there’s no getting around that; doing so will only make room for Smith to be replaced by someone qualified.
Martin has given the Cowboys his all, and they haven’t reciprocated with a Super Bowl up to this time, but that might just be the fate of this Notre Dame graduate.
After the 2024 season, there is a very real chance that the most dependable Cowboys player will retire.
Dallas’s Final Rodeo for Dak Prescott?
As Dak Prescott still has a contract that expires in 2024, we have arrived at the most evident response to this query.
Even though there are some signals that a deal could be reached—such as Prescott’s recent comments to the media regarding an extension—it is difficult to avoid speculating when a contract hasn’t been finalized this late in the offseason.
Whatever your opinion of the man, as a free agent he would fetch a record-breaking salary.
That’s because quarterbacks with his level of talent and production—yes, he’s very talented—rarely make it to the open market, let alone reach this point.
My greatest guess going into the previous offseason was that they would sign a contract with Dak before the start of free agency; this would have prevented Dallas from losing money and secured the franchise’s star player.
Unfortunately, this tale is still looming large over the Cowboys six months later.
It’s difficult to predict how this story will end. The most probable Cowboys star to depart after this season is still Prescott, even if I see an extension being hammered out in August.