Rewind to 1975: Roger Staubach hucks a 50-yard “Hail Mary” to Drew Pearson, birthing a football idiom. Fast-forward to 2025, and the Cowboys are tossing financial Hail Marys. “You’ve got to go get it, get ready. You’re going to pay a premium for it. They just think tariffs might add to things.” By restructuring Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s contracts, Dallas turned $45.75M of Dak’s salary into a signing bonus—a move slicker than Deion Sanders’ Prime Time strut. “I want to be the reason someone is great,” Prescott once said, and buddy, he’s delivering. Even with a bum leg, he’s the ATM spitting out cap space

“I’m not going to be dumb here, We’ve got time for one more.” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones scoffed, arms crossed like a Texas rancher guarding his last brisket, when asked if he agreed with Dak Prescott’s claim that Dallas is “close to the Eagles in terms of talent.” Cue the record scratch. Imagine Tony Soprano declaring, “I’m not gonna be stupid about this gabagool,” and you’ve got the vibe.

Jones, never one to mince words (or logic), doubled down: “The Eagles are a prime team to talk about because they are the World Champs, and you look good when you’re the World Champ, as it should be. But we’ll see how it goes. It’s not smart to say that we’re as good or better than the Eagles right now because they happen to be the World Champs. So, I’m not going to be dumb there.” Translation? Dak’s optimism got the side-eye, but hey—at least the Cowboys just unlocked $57M in cap space.

Let’s break it down: Prescott’s contract restructure freed up $36.6M, while CeeDee Lamb’s deal carved out another $20M. Add Micah Parsons’ looming extension (which could save $18M in cap space for 2025), and suddenly Jerry’s playing Monopoly with NFL money. “We’re operating very competitive,” Jones grinned, channeling his inner Gordon Gekko. But let’s be real—this isn’t just cap gymnastics. It’s gridiron chess. And Dak? He’s the king dodging rookies, even after a 2024 season cut short by a hamstring injury (1,978 yards, 11 TDs in 8 games).

But let’s talk Lamb. The man who led the NFL in receptions (135) and yards (1,749) in 2023 isn’t just catching passes—he’s catching breaks. His restructure? Pure poetry. Remember his 2024 sideline spat with Dak? “Jump balls, 4, jump balls—I got you,” Lamb barked after a pick. Turns out, their chemistry’s stronger than Texas sweet tea. Together, they’ve saved $57M, funding Jerry’s dream of a sixth Lombardi.

Jones ain’t sweating the “dumb” drama. “I thought we’d win the division. I’d have lost a lot of money if, in fact, you could do what we can’t do in the NFL, and that’s bet on it. Why? Because we’d had a good run of it over the years. I didn’t plan on some of the things that happened for us last year—or that didn’t happen. So, we’re operating with a very competitive mentality within our division” he mused, sounding like Jordan Belfort after a rough day on the Nasdaq. But here’s the kicker: Dallas also locked down DT Osa Odighizuwa to a four-year, $80 million deal slashing his cap hit from $25.1M to $6M. That’s not just savvy—it’s Moneyball with a Stetson.

The Jones Way

Dallas isn’t just a team—it’s a vibe. The star on the helmet? That’s “America’s Team” swag, baby. From Staubach’s Hail Mary to Emmitt Smith’s record-breaking gallops, this franchise drips legacy. Even Jimmy Johnson’s 2025 Fox Sports retirement got a Jerry Jones tribute fit for a Roman emperor. But 2025’s plot twist? Cap space as the new MVP.

Dak Prescott‘s recovery? Rocky montage-ready. After surgery, he’s “progressing well,” eyeing a comeback fiercer than Jason Voorhees. And Lamb? He’s got Jerry wrapped around his diamond-encrusted fingers. Remember the owner’s “lol”–inducing “no urgency” quip during Lamb’s holdout? Dak clapped back: “I got urgency.” Now? Lamb’s laughing to the bank with $136M guaranteed.

“We’ve got time for one more. Obviously, picking 12th, you don’t want to be up here next year. It’s a premium pick. What’s your plan or goal for that 12th pick? Well, we’ve got a lot of options. The combine actually emphasized that there are key players deep at key areas of the team—running back, defensive line, outside pressure players. So, frankly, this is a good time to be where we are. I’m not so sure that I’d want to be any higher. I think that you’re going to get a premium player at this position.” Jones quipped.

So, what’s next? March 10’s legal tampering period looms like a Jaws sequel. With $75M+ in potential space, Dallas could bag a pass rusher, a cornerback, or even a time machine to 1995. But Jerry’s playing it coy: “This is a good time to have where we are… premium player at this position.” Translation: Hold onto your 10-gallon hats. The Cowboys aren’t rebuilding—they’re reloading. And if anyone calls that “dumb”? Well, just point to the cap space.