The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most valuable franchises in the sports world, let alone in the NFL. Billionaire owner Jerry Jones has ensured that the team always has the latest and greatest technology and materials with which to practice and conduct business.
If the Cowboys were a Major League Baseball team, they would undoubtedly take advantage of the soft salary cap and be one of the biggest spenders in the game, year in and year out. However, the NFL has a hard salary cap that puts strict limitations on how much money teams can spend.
As such, the Cowboys can only spend as much as everyone else on their roster. This situation has made things very complicated for them as three of their star players are up for contract extensions that could be top-of-the-market deals for players at their respective positions.
Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott Could Become the Highest Paid Player in the NFL
On of these star players is quarterback Dak Prescott, who led the NFL in touchdown passes last season (36) while also finishing second in MVP voting. As he enters the final year of his contract, speculation has been building for months that he will soon become the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL.
The question, though, is whether or not it will be the Cowboys that pay him that much. A report yesterday stated that his next contract could pay him as much as $60 million per season. Dallas cannot use the franchise tag on him after this season ends because of a clause in his current contract.
Either they pay him what he wants, or someone else will.
The Cowboys’ owner recently stated, “I do not think this will be his last year with the Cowboys, at all. Am I being psychotic relative to my mirror? No, no.
“It’s pretty clear, I think. I want to say 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.”
The problem, as mentioned, is that Prescott is not the only Cowboys player that is seeking an historic deal. Linebacker Micah Parsons and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb are too.
Dallas Cowboys Stars CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons Want $35+ Million a Season
Earlier today, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones talked to the media. He was asked about the ongoing contract negotiations with his team’s three stars. During his answer, he revealed that both Lamb and Parsons want to be the highest-paid non-quarterback player in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is currently the highest-paid non-quarterback thanks to the four-year $140 million contract he signed earlier this offseason. Lamb may have an argument that he deserves a contract comes close to or meets that amount as he had 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
For Parsons, the negotiations may become more difficult. There is no denying that he is one of the best players at his position. However, how the Cowboys view his position in contract talks could affect what their offer is.
The highest paid edge rusher in the NFL is Nick Bosa, who makes $34 million a year. The highest paid linebacker is Roquan Smith, who makes $20 million a year.
That is a significant gap, and one that could make Parsons’ deal the last one Dallas is able to figure out.
One thing is certain, though: both of them will not get $35 million per year. It is unlikely that either do given what Prescott is set to make.
