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The Cowboys and its biggest stars are in the middle of their contractual song and dance.
The Dallas Cowboys have a history of being magicians. During the franchise’s 1990s heyday, owner Jerry Jones, who acquired the team in 1989, drew three Super Bowls out of a hat.
Unfortunately, after a few decades, the team’s tricks have grown monotonous and cliché.
It has been increasingly difficult to keep fans across seated under AT&T Stadium’s enormous top, particularly since the circus collapsed against the Green Bay Packers in January.
Fortunately, the circus has returned to town for another season, and the front office is attempting to pull off their trickiest one yet: record-breaking agreements for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons.
Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel, the hosts of The Athletic’s newest podcast, Scoop City, had guest appearance by Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones. The subject of discussion was the current situation and the upcoming deals for Dallas’ big three. According to Jones, the group is currently performing a Houdini trick of their own.
When you consider the financial stakes, those matters simply take time. Naturally, we’re also attempting to play Houdini a little bit in order to keep all these folks close to Dak and retain the players we were lucky enough to draft. When you start stacking them that way, it becomes challenging. It’s not impossible, but you will need to make some concessions if you wish to accomplish it. I am aware that the Vikings, who were with Jefferson when they struck that outrageous deal at wide receiver, only had Jefferson earning more than $20 million per year. Naturally, we have one of the best in Dak [Prescott], right there with [Trevon] Diggs, and then you have D-Law and Zack Martin. Thus, we have a large number of guys who are well off. There are no justifications—we know and believe we can do this task; it just need time.
Although Jones gave a strong response, it was noteworthy that he brought up Justin Jefferson’s recent contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings. The negotiations between Minnesota and Jefferson during the previous offseason ended in failure, delaying the negotiations until 2024.
Jones on the current status of the team with Dak Prescott:
“Then, of course, there is Dak. His résumé clearly speaks for itself. He finished second in last year’s MVP voting, you know. He’s had an incredible career here in Dallas, you know.
“We have hope that we can complete these guys,” Jones stated. “I am aware of Dak; our objective is to finish him. He is aware of this. Jerry Jones and I are conversing with Dak directly, his agent, and ourselves. He is aware that our intention is to keep him here. He is also aware of the difficulties.
“You are aware of the consequences for teams who possess these expensive quarterbacks. It becomes difficult to maintain everyone at some point. Of course, the Chiefs are one such example. However, they managed to get by without Tyreek Hill and a few other elite players. After this season, they let go of L’Jarius Sneed, one of the best corners in the league. Along the road, you have to make some difficult decisions. However, we think we can accomplish that.
Many things about the defense in 2024 will depend on how Mike Zimmer uses Micah Parsons in his plan.
Patrik Walker: First of all, it’s probably time for them to really have a chat. Less than a week remains until the first training camp practice, so I’ll suppose that’s happened by now. Based on my prediction, Parsons develops into a versatile weapon who mostly plays off of Zimmer’s edge and is less effective as an off-ball linebacker. After all, Zimmer didn’t sign Kendricks and Liufau with the intention of Parsons playing mostly linebacker. Controlling what he can control is what matters to Parsons. He is being mugged in the trenches, and there is little he can do about the appalling amount of non-calls that occur. But when he manages to escape? The goal is to convert more of his league-high QB pressures into sacks, which would propel him from the mid-teens to the level of T.J. Watt (20+). Even though it’s easier said than done when you’re being choked after the snap, he’s already about to take that next move and only needs to do it.
Nick Eatman: Even the greatest require a fresh voice from time to time. With Zimmer and Parsons, the Cowboys are depending on it. How Micah fits into the new plan and how much Zimmer has customized it to play to his talents will be interesting, in my opinion. These discussions were undoubtedly had before to Zimmer’s employment. It is the Cowboys’ fault if they were unaware of his plans for Micah. I’m not concerned about any conversations—or lack thereof—between the two because of this. Parsons is aware that Zimmer needs him to give it his all, especially when a contract is at stake. Is he able to accept a run-stopping mode? In December and January, can he have additional sacks? If Parsons wishes to move forward, those are the two key questions.
There will be a lot of eyes watching the linebacker duel.
Overshown Marist Liufau vs. DeMarvion
The Cowboys were also lacking at linebacker when the offseason began. But the middle line of the defense strengthened with the addition of veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks and the third-round selection of Marist Liufau. Dallas now has some depth at linebacker and a camp fight after third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown returned to health last year.
This past April, the team believed Liufau was too good to pass up, citing his football IQ and covering prowess as just a couple of the reasons they selected the Notre Dame linebacker in the first round of the selection. Liufau is as productive close to the line of scrimmage and didn’t allow a receiving touchdown in his final two years in college.
Overshown, who suffered an ACL tear during the preseason and was unable to play, may be the rookie’s biggest rival. Overshown, a converted safety with 30.5 career tackles for a loss, is similar to Liufau in that he excels in coverage but also has a flair for creating plays behind the line of scrimmage.
In Zimmer’s defense, both players may be vying for the SAM linebacker position right now, but things might change based on how camp goes. In any case, the Dallas defense’s two Day 2 picks are fighting for playing time.
To put it mildly, this quarterback competition is unlike any other.
For No. 8, it’s a quarterback competition.
According to online records maintained by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is contesting Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman’s request to trademark “EIGHT” for use on clothing and bags.
Jackson’s legal representative contended in a July 9 filing, as reported by ESPN, that Aikman’s use of their same phone number will “likely cause confusion” among the public regarding which quarterback’s company is marketing the goods. Jackson filed appeals against two trademark applications filed by FL101, Aikman’s product company, which discloses Aikman’s directorship in its SEC filings.
Jackson’s company, Era 8 Apparel, sells accessories, hats, and T-shirts, many of which have the number eight displayed. Most of the trademarks utilizing the number in different phrases that Jackson owns or has applied for include the moniker “Era 8.”
January 2022 saw the launch of Aikman’s light beer brand, EIGHT. In addition to having pending trademarks for restaurant and bar services, mugs and cups, calendars, posters, and other goods, FL101 is the owner of a trademark for “EIGHT” that pertains to beer. Jackson’s two appeals are limited to the clothing and purses.
After Jake Ferguson, tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford has an opportunity to make an impression.
TE Ford Brevyn Spann
I think this one is the most obvious. Before he suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason of last year, John Stephens Jr., an undrafted free agent, won the hearts of Cowboys fans. The 6-5 offensive weapon would have made the 53-man roster, as we have since learned.
The Cowboys may now turn their attention to Brevyn Spann-Ford, another underdog to cheer for at the position.
Spann-Ford has a good physique, standing 6-7 and weighing 270 pounds. His one apparent weakness seems to be receiving the ball, as seen by his astronomically high drop percentage during his final season of collegiate football. He was also an excellent run blocker at Minnesota. If he corrects that, he appears ready for an unexpected roster berth, and Cowboys supporters will undoubtedly be cheering him on.
More games, more cash.
According to Jones, adding one more game to the regular season seems inevitable right now. Jones thinks that the players will support a longer season when they realize how much more money would come from an extra game and how much of that money would go to the players, despite the numerous statements to the contrary.