As the start of the 2024 season inches closer, the Dallas Cowboys contracts situation is dominating the team's headlines.
When will the team pay CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, and Micah Parsons?
The order that those extensions happen and if they should be paid at all is another major debate taking place.
In recent weeks, we've heard speculation on all three deals.
Rumors have spread about Prescott returning, Parsons commented on his price tag, and Justin Jefferson reset the wide receiver market.
Dallas wants Prescott long term, but talks have been slow thus far. Got all summer to hash out. https://t.co/WWiM6NW0R2
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 1, 2024
It's no surprise these three contracts are causing such a stir.
The three players in question are the biggest cornerstones the Cowboys have, and two of them will hit the open market without a deal.
Both Prescott and Lamb entering free agency is a scary possibility for the future of the team.
Not to mention, Parsons, perhaps the best defensive player in the league, could hold out for a long time if Dallas does not make him the “highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.”
In short, these three deals coming together are crucial for the Cowboys' long-term success.
Now, the question is who will get extended first?
To answer that question, let's go over each guy and their situation.
The Case for Prescott
A Prescott extension coming to fruition before Lamb and Parsons will result in some fan-uproar.
Naturally, that comes with the position Prescott plays and how the team has performed in the postseason.
However, there is a strong case to be made that he should be paid first.
At 30 years old, Prescott is coming off the best season in his 8-year NFL career.
Leading the league in passing touchdowns and completions resulted in a 2nd place finish for the MVP award.
He was also named an All-Pro for the first time in his career.
In short, Prescott is one of the league's better quarterbacks, and you do not let those guys leave.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Dak Prescott is having “his best offseason program.”
“And he's had really good offseason programs the whole time,” McCarthy added. “This atmosphere that we practice in with the quarterback and receivers has really hit the mark. I've been very…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) June 6, 2024
As much as some Cowboys fans would like to see him gone, the hard truth is finding a quarterback at his level is very hard to do.
Just ask Broncos, Giants, Saints, and Raiders fans if they'd like to sign Prescott.
The answer is a resounding yes, which is just one reason why this should be a no-brainer for Dallas.
Quarterback is the most important position in sports, and the Cowboys should waste no time extending theirs.
The Case for Lamb
Since magically falling to the Cowboys in the 2020 NFL Draft, the newest 88 has lit the NFL on fire with his performance.
In four seasons, Lamb has been named to three Pro Bowls, two All-Pro teams, finished third in OPOY voting, and broke the franchise record for yards and touchdowns in a season.
That resumé alone should win him this debate.
Lamb is arguably the lifeblood of the Cowboys offense, and if he isn't it's only because he is not a quarterback.
He affects the game in huge ways and his absence is felt anytime he is off the field.
Also, as I mentioned earlier, the Dallas front office is now seeing the league's top receivers get paid.
That should add some urgency to the Lamb talks, but they might already be too late.
Jefferson getting extended by Minnesota set a new record for wide receivers.
If you don't think Lamb will want to top that, you might need to prepare to be proven wrong once he does get paid.
Beyond the general principle of supply and demand which is a significant thing… it will not be hard for CeeDee Lamb and his representation to argue that he should be paid more than Justin Jefferson.
(h/t @Stathead) pic.twitter.com/ZxmCpGPuSS
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) June 3, 2024
Extending him should be at or near the top of the to-do list for Dallas, and if it isn't they should prepare for him to continue holding out.
The prospect of heading into the season without him should be reason enough to pay him.
The Case for Parsons
Lastly, we have Parsons, who is expected to break all kinds of records with his contract extension.
Much like Lamb, the Cowboys defensive leader has done almost everything possible in his short NFL career.
Parsons has finished in the top three of DPOY voting in each of his three seasons.
That includes his rookie year, where he was the runner-up to T.J. Watt, won DROY, and was named 1st-team All-Pro.
When this kid is on the field, the “Lion” is the top focus for teams.
Not having eyes and bodies on Parsons leads to destruction; just think back to the very end of the Cowboys-Seahawks matchup last season.
Those kinds of talents do not come around often.
And it's why many believe he should be the top priority when it comes to an extension.
A year from now, Micah Parsons, eligible for an extension in '24, might have the largest contract in NFL history for a defensive player. Has he thought about his future? “Man, I just know if I win that Super Bowl, I ain't gotta worry about nothing the rest of my life,” he said.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) July 28, 2023
As previously mentioned, he is on record saying expects to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in football, and right now that means at least $36M per year.
For a guy of his talent and young age, that is not an unreasonable demand.
It would be smart for the Cowboys to get him at that price before other guys start to top it.
All three of these extensions, regardless of who deserves the first, are as important as it gets for the organization.
So, it might be time to start acting like that and deal out some money.
