Jerry Jones Believes Dak Prescott Will Remain With The Cowboys ... Unless He Doesn't

The Dallas Cowboys have a serious salary cap problem they're trying to solve in that they have Dak Prescott, who wants to become the NFL's highest paid quarterback, and have receiver CeeDee Lamb and edge rusher Micah Parsons, who both want to be the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback.

Prescott and Lamb are both on expiring contracts this year and want extensions. Lamb wants it so bad he did not report to the start of training camp.

Parsons isn't getting an extension this year (barring a major surprise) but next year is his final season under contract so his gargantuan extension is on the horizon.

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 02: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates during the second half against the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome on December 02, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Dak Prescott Must Be Cowboys Priority

The question then becomes can the Cowboys keep all these guys? Can they fit all of them under the salary cap while also, you know, fielding a good team with 50 other players who aren't playing for free?

The obvious most important of those players is Prescott. He led the NFL in touchdown passes (36) and pass completions (410).

So is it possible that after eight seasons and the Cowboys knowing his abilities, they would move on after this season and let him go in free agency? 

"I don't think so," Jerry Jones said on Thursday. "Just to be very specific. I do not think this will be his last year with the Cowboys at all. Am I being psychotic relative to my mirror? No.

"I think I want to say it if it hasn't been clear – of how much we appreciate what Dak Prescott has meant to this team in a positive way. The players do play better when he's out there. He does make his teammates play at a higher level, there's no question about it.

"So I'm right there in line with his best fan."

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 04:  Dallas Cowboys Owner, President and General Manager Jerry Jones walks on the field before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 04, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Jerry Jones Wants Dak But No Guarantees

That sounds unequivocal. It seems like solid footing for a new contract to get done.

Except Jones spent part of his press conference talking about the ambiguity of the NFL and the difficulties of the salary.

And those things might lead the Cowboys to a position they have to let talent walk. 

"Believe it or not, in my life, I've had a lot of things in life that I wanted that I couldn't get because I couldn't afford it," Jones said.

Wait, stop this.

Jerry Jones owns a $300 million yacht. He owns arguably the world's most expensive professional sports franchise, certainly the most expensive in the NFL. He can definitely afford to pay Prescott.

He can pay any player, even an outstanding quarterback, were there no salary cap.

But there's a salary cap. That's the problem.

Not dollars. But the NFL's imposed limit on spending.

ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 14: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium on January 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

Cowboys Negotiating With Dak, Lamb

The problem for the Cowboys is Prescott is the most important player on the team. But he's not the only outstanding player on the team.

And so the assignment is to fit him, Lamb and Parsons all within the salary cap. That work is ongoing.

"We're having great conversations in terms of the representatives with CeeDee and Dak," said Cowboys executive vice president, CEO, and director of player personnel Stephen Jones, who also happens to be Jerry's son. "Obviously, Micah is a year removed from where CeeDee is today. 

"These things just take time. We're having great conversations with them. It's certainly not easy. I welcome the opportunity that we've drafted well enough to have one of the best quarterbacks in the league, one of the best pass rushers in the league if not the best. And one of the best receivers, if not the best receiver in the league. Welcome the opportunity. It's great that we draft like that. But it does take time and it's certainly not easy."

Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (left) and executive vice president Stephen Jones during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings Catch A Stray From Cowboys

Stephen Jones pointed to the deal the Vikings did with receiver Justin Jefferson this offseason. He is the NFL's highest paid non-quarterback presently, averaging $35 million per season.

Lamb wants to beat that deal. But the Cowboys are trying to make him understand the situation in Dallas is not congruent to the situation in Minnesota.

"They're not paying a quarterback," Jones said. "They're not paying anybody on their roster at this point. So it's a lot easier for them to stretch a little more. And we're trying to work through reasonably with CeeDee, reasonably with Dak, what we can do to make it work from an economic standpoint.

"And certainly when you're trying to pay three guys like that, it certainly does limit your opportunities to maybe improve the roster down the line."

Look, this isn't rocket science.

Good players come and go.

Great players must stay.

If the Cowboys are so certain they cannot succeed without Prescott, Lamb and later on Parsons, get as close as possible to paying them. And then deal with the consequences of not surrounding those guys with other highly paid players.

Somebody has to move one once a contract expires and that should be the solid, but not great players.

And if the remaining greats are really great, they should be able to make up the difference when teammates around them aren't as good or experienced because the good, experienced players went elsewhere.

Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb celebrates with QB Dak Prescott after scoring a TD vs. the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Should Cowboys Let Lamb Walk?

On the other hand, can the Cowboys find a receiver of Lamb's caliber in the draft next year? Or add two receivers who make less that together can produce at the level Lamb does?

If so, do that and let Lamb walk next offseason.

Prescott is nearly impossible to replace and not fall of the competitive cliff. Parsons is, well, great at a position where great players don't grow on trees.

Lamb? There are a lot of great receivers out there who might fit better under the salary cap.