Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently discussed the ongoing contract negotiations with quarterback Dak Prescott in an interview with Stephen A. Smith. Jones expressed concerns about the team’s ability to afford a new contract for Prescott while also maintaining enough salary cap space to sign other key players. He pointed to recent contract restructurings that will result in the Cowboys having to continue paying Prescott millions, regardless of whether he re-signs with the team or not.

“We have the challenge of not only recouping what we have spent on him over the last four years, we’ve gotta add that to what we’re gonna be paying him for the future,” Jones explained. “That’s not Dak’s problem on the end that it’s the Dallas Cowboys’ problem because that money is not going to be there to spend on supporting cast.”

In March, the Cowboys made a move to free up $4 million in cap space for this year by converting Prescott’s $5 million roster bonus into a signing bonus and adding two more voidable years to his contract. However, this action resulted in the $4 million moving to next year’s dead cap money, now totaling over $40 million in 2025 just for Prescott.

This situation puts the Cowboys in a tough spot as Prescott, 31, is set to become a free agent at the end of this season while carrying a historic $55 million hit against the team’s salary cap. There’s also speculation that his next annual salary could be even higher.

“Dak’s next contract could end up being more lucrative than those signed by Cincinnati Bengals star Joe Burrow and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence,” Jones stated.

Dallas Cowboys face tough choices

Both Burrow and Lawrence recently signed contracts for five years and $275 million, marking them as the most lucrative deals in NFL history. This sets a high bar for Prescott’s next contract negotiations and adds further pressure on the Cowboys’ financial planning.

The financial implications of Prescott’s potential new contract are significant, and it’s clear that the Cowboys are facing tough decisions regarding their salary cap and roster management. Jones’ remarks shed light on the complexities and challenges involved in negotiating a new deal with Prescott while also maintaining a competitive team with sufficient supporting cast.

As the negotiations continue, it’s evident that finding a balance between securing Prescott’s future with the team and managing the financial constraints will be a pivotal task for the Cowboys’ front office. The outcome of these discussions will not only impact Prescott’s future but also the overall dynamics of the Cowboys’ roster and their ability to remain competitive in the NFL.