The Cowboys’ QB Dak Prescott is in the final year of his four-year, $160 million contract. The contract extension is under discussion, and former safety and NFL analyst Louis Riddick believes that not Jerry Jones, but Prescott is controlling the ongoing contract situation and that the delay is “intentional.” 

Riddick believes that the entire discussion is leverage. “Just like owners work for leverage, players very rarely have it. Dak has it better than anyone in the history of the NFL right now,” he said in his tweet on August 28, 2024. Prescott’s leverage comes from his stellar performance last season, where he threw for 4,516 yards and led the league with 36 touchdown passes, which increased his market value even more.

He also pointed out that, “there’s one person in control of this entire thing, and it’ll happen on his timeline when he feels darn good and ready to get it done. The next step is Prescott. He added, “He put himself in this position on purpose—it was very intentional.” This has given the impression that Prescott is dictating the pace of his negotiations, which shows his confidence. This could be a bit challenging for the Dallas Cowboys, as they will be feeling the urgency to secure their star QB.

The supply-demand dynamics in the NFL, particularly for quarterbacks, are quite interesting. Riddick believes that if Prescott enters the free agency market, his price will inevitably rise. This is why Prescott is being patient in handling this situation. By opting for free agency, his value could increase even more due to competition from multiple teams.

Riddick’s conclusion also supports the point that Prescott’s decision needs to be understood. “If I’m him, I’m thinking, I’m taking this to the free market. I’m making you pay me at the free market price when those conditions exist, not right now when it’s beneficial to you,” and this is the core essence of QB’s approach. 

Now, the challenging thing for the Dallas Cowboys will be to balance retaining Prescott along with their other key players, like wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb’s contract extension has now been finalized, so everyone’s focus can now shift to Dak, but timing will remain crucial for both sides.

Delaying Dak Prescott’s contract negotiations has strategic implications for the NFL’s quarterback market. As they navigate this pivotal moment, understanding the leverage dynamics — as highlighted by analysts like Louis Riddick — will be crucial for the Cowboys. Prescott’s calculated patience could ultimately secure a deal that aligns with his career stage and safeguards his status in the ever-evolving landscape of QB contracts.

CeeDee Lamb’s new deal and comments on Dak Prescott’s extension

ow that CeeDee Lamb has secured a contract, he will remain with the Dallas Cowboys until 2028. Lamb, who led the team in a light workout on Tuesday night, August 27, 2024, signed a $136 million, four-year extension just hours later, ending his two-month holdout. This new deal makes him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.

Prescott is in the final season of his club-record $160 million, four-year deal, signed in 2021. Meanwhile, Lamb made 135 catches for 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. The 25-year-old has set career highs every season, and as an All-Pro receiver, he can now be confident that QB Dak Prescott will remain alongside him.

Prescott has delivered the majority of those throws, and he and agent Todd France have been in discussions for months with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to finalize a bigger contract. According to CBS, Lamb said, “We all know I want Dak here. Jerry wants Dak here, too. Let’s just get this under control, kill the speculations.”

After meeting with agent Tory Dandy during his 8-month holdout, Lamb waited until he received an ideal offer. While Lamb’s contract isn’t the largest in NFL non-quarterback history, it’s close. Justin Jefferson signed a $140 million, four-year deal a day earlier, which coincided with Lamb’s absence from mandatory minicamp.

Lamb missed his training camp and offseason program and hadn’t been to team headquarters since the wild-card loss at home to Dallas. After signing his new contract, he is now preparing for the opener in Cleveland on September 8.

Lamb said he is physically fit and fully prepared for the season. His viral moment also went on social media, but now his focus is only on the field. Lamb and Jones have had a “businessman conversation,” and now he wants to concentrate on his game.