When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys, things are never dull. At the current moment, it’s a high-stakes game of chess in the Dallas compound where Jerry Jones is about to make some bold moves. With CeeDee Lamb coming off a monster season (135 receptions, 1,749 yards, 12 TDs) and Micah Parsons establishing himself as a defensive wrecking ball, the price tags for these rising stars are through the roof.

As NFL insider Albert Breer bluntly puts it, “You’re talking about an outlay of what like 70-75 million per year between the two of those guys.” That’s some serious bread, even for America’s Team. Lamb’s breakout campaign has him knocking on the door of the elite receiver club. With Justin Jefferson resetting the market at a whopping $35 million per year, Breer warns on The Rich Eisen Show, “CD Lamb like may not be the receiver Justin Jefferson is, but he had a borderline historic year last year.”

Lamb’s teammate Parsons is already beating the drum for him, declaring to the media, “CeeDee is about to hit the brink truck. He’s about to get his. If I’m his agent, CeeDee is getting $36 (million per year).” But Lamb isn’t the only one poised to cash in big. Parsons himself is in line for a mega-deal after a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber season.

Breer thinks the sky’s the limit, saying, “if you’re Micah Parson now, do you ask for 40 million per? I think you’d be well within your rights to do that.” When you’re talking those kind of ’30 for 30′ numbers, it’s a game-changer for any franchise.

The problem for Jones is, this financial frenzy is unfolding with quarterback Dak Prescott‘s own contract situation looming like a dark cloud. Prescott is playing the ultimate “gambler’s game,” declaring with swagger to reporters, “I’m a gambling man. I’ll gamble on myself and my guys.” As salary cap analyst Brian Robinson notes, “Prescott’s four-year deal, combined with the inevitable cap restructures…gave him extraordinary leverage.” Translation? He’s holding all the cards for a potential $55 million per year mega-deal.

It’s a perfect storm that has Jones and the Cowboys’ front office walking a tightrope. With over $250 million potentially tied up in just three players, every dollar will count towards building a sustainable, competitive roster. One wrong move and their championship window could slam shut quicker than you can say “America’s Team.” But Jerry has been here before, as Breer reminds us, “they ran into this with Zach Martin where they had to pay him; they had to pay a tax on him because they waited on him…they ran into this with Demarcus Lawrence and certainly the last time around they ran into this with Dak Prescott.”

For the Cowboys, it’s put up or shut up time. But if there’s one thing Cowboys fans know, it’s that Jerry never shies away from a big bet when championship glory has been on the line for so long.

Dak Prescott’s high-stakes bet!

While Jerry Jones is juggling the jaw-dropping financial demands of re-signing Lamb and Parsons, quarterback Prescott is the ultimate wildcard in this high-stakes game. Entering the final year of his deal, Prescott has the ultimate negotiating chip.

“I don’t really take things personal…I have a lot of say-so, too,” Prescott stated cooly, sending a clear message per Bleacher Report – he’s going to get paid, one way or another. His “gambling man” mentality isn’t just talk either. Prescott has been betting on himself his whole career, going from a late-round compensatory pick to the face of the iconic Cowboys franchise through sheer determination and skill.

For the Cowboys, keeping their quarterback happy is crucial to finally exorcising those postseason demons. However, as Breer cautions, “the ship sailed now as far as being aggressive…that market has shifted.” But in Prescott’s case, the leverage pendulum has swung fully in his favor thanks to the no-trade and no-tag clauses in his 2021 deal. He’s playing his contract game to perfection,.

For Jerry Jones, it’s a Lone Star-sized gamble – pony up the cash to keep his stars or risk watching his championship window get boarded up for years. In the words of Prescott himself, it’s time to go “all in” and make the big play to keep Dallas’ Super Bowl dreams alive and kicking.