Perplexing Plan: Are Cowboys' Confusing Moves 'All In'?
It seems that the Dallas Cowboys can't get out of their way when it comes to negotiating with some of their top players.
When it comes to the future of Dallas' three stars in quarterback Dak Prescott, receiver CeeDee Lamb, and defensive weapon Micah Parsons, the Cowboys have made it clear how they will be the priority this offseason for the team.
For some reason, they aren't exactly acting like it.
Dec 24, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) looks on against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.
Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
The latest example of it has come following the 2024 Scouting Combine. NFL Network's own Rich Eisen said on his daily show that the Cowboys' message of all-in was a direct response to recent negotiations with Prescott.
"The rumor I heard from multiple people at the Combine is his definition of all-in is to make Dak play out his walk year and not extend him at all, and just eat the cap hit," Eisen said. "And the free agents that they might go get aren't the big-name guys that you think because they won't be able to afford 'em."
Letting Prescott play out the final year of his current extension would be a massive gamble by owner Jerry Jones and the organization. Should Dak lead the Cowboys into the playoffs again, or the Super Bowl, his next contract could be even bigger than the one he's currently asking for - putting Dallas in an even tougher situation than they already are in for the cap.
Jones has already used the franchise tag on Prescott as well earlier in his career so the Cowboys can't simply use that as a stop-gap either.
Prescott has since said he's "definitely confident' he'll get the extension he wants with the Cowboys in the future.
It's not just Prescott that needs to have a new contract, though. Parsons, Dallas' best player on the defensive side of the ball, recently had his fifth-year option placed on him in hopes that a long-term deal will come his way.
Many people were surprised that the NFL labeled Parsons a defensive end instead of a linebacker - saving the Cowboys over $3 million on the cap for his final year.
While Dallas cannot be blamed for the league's decision, it puts them in a difficult situation. Parsons, despite having 10+ sacks in each of his first three seasons, isn't considered a true pass-rusher. Coming out of Penn State as a linebacker, the speed with which he has played has been a welcome addition to a defense short of the kind of aggression Parsons plays with.
And if the league decides that he's worth $3 million less than his value as a top defensive player, what will the Cowboys do in negotiations? Could Parsons look to recoup that lost money in his next long-term deal?
These are questions that Dallas and Jones will have to answer over the coming weeks. The longer they give the deals wanted by their stars, the harder their "all-in" comment from last month can be taken seriously.
The Cowboys still have a talented roster and a strong draft history to continue their run of consistency in the regular season. That could all go away though if they can't lock up their bigger stars.
