Remember how the Chiefs entered the 2024 offseason? A good amount of cap space and a Super Bowl victory. But, the Chiefs’ cap space met the tackle from a long-term extension with Chris Jones and soon they found themselves at the gateway of few resources, not enough to make necessary additions. While this story witnessed Patrick Mahomes in the role of a messiah, the Cowboys fear a similar fate with no possible rescuer. Hence, they are determined to avoid any such blunder.

Taking to the Scoop City podcast on July 20, the Dallas Cowboys CEO John Stephen Jones broke the silence on their ‘contractual’ goal with star QB Dak Prescott. But, with an aim to avoid the Kansas City Chiefs-like situation. One that will steer them clear from paying huge sums of money to a single player which makes it difficult to accommodate everyone else. However, despite this clear-cut goal for themselves, the Cowboys are more than determined not to let the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year go.

But America’s team faces a conundrum, with wide receiver Cee Dee Lamb also up for contract negotiations. Lamb has held out of the Cowboys’ entire offseason program, racking over $100,000 in fines, suggesting the two parties are yet to reach an agreement. Even though he is slated to return to the field for the first training camp practice, things are far from clear, but Jones remains hopeful.

The Cowboys CEO said, “The answer to that question is, we are optimistic that we can get these guys done. I know Dak, you know, our goal is to get him done. He knows that. We’re having conversations and with his agent, with Dak personally, both Jerry and myself, and he knows our goal is to keep him here. He also understands the challenges.”

Jones didn’t provide a definite timeline for when it would get done and whether Dak Prescott would get Joe Burrow-Trevor Lawrence money. While Dak Prescott is coming off a 4-year $160 million extension, this might finally be the year when he breaks all the records and might even get a $55-$60 million extension with the Cowboys. Apart from Lamb and Prescott, there is another player whom the Cowboys would want to tie up to a long-term deal.

Speaking about the situation, Stephen Jones added, “Well those things take time. And we’re talking about deals here… when you’re talking about CeeDee and Dak… somebody like a Micah [Parsons] coming up… you’re talking about two players that aren’t quarterbacks that feel like they ought to be a little bit like Jefferson, the top paid non-quarterbacks in the league.”

Micah Parsons is under contract for the next two seasons. Thus, 2024 could effectively be a contract year for him. It is possible that the Cowboys will have to fork out a record deal to retain his services given the situation with the Jacksonville Jaguars signing Josh Allen to a five-year, $150 million deal in April. Having more sacks (40.5) than Allen (32) in the same number of games means Parsons will command a higher price.

Meanwhile, Stephen Jones made sure to emphasize, “You know what happens to teams when you do have these high price quarterbacks at some point. It’s a challenge to keep everybody.” Jones further added, “Obviously, the Chiefs are an example of that, but they were able to survive not keeping Tyreek Hill and some other top players. I think they let one of the top corners in the league go this year after this season so you have to make some tough choices along the way but we, we’re optimistic that we can do that, and we’ll continue to grind away on that.”

Does it hint at doing away with one among Prescott, Lamb, and Parsons? The current situation might force their hand, just like it happened with the Red Army who after a colossal 10-year $450 million extension deal with Mahomes in 2020, bid goodbye to Tyreek Hill. The WR is known for his speed and is the 2023 NFL receiving yards leader. Not only that, post a guaranteed $95 million contract with Chris Jones, the Chiefs couldn’t afford to keep L’Jarius Sneed, who was traded to the Tennessee Titans.

As a result, Mahomes and the Chiefs agreed to a restructured contract that helped the franchise create a much-needed salary cap space of $21.6 million. While the Chiefs did manage to remain steadfast and make tough decisions, the Cowboys might face a similar predicament.

As pointed out by the former Cowboys legend Hall of Famer Charles Haley, a choice needs to be made. Who do you think the Cowboys should keep and who do you think they should let go? Well, Haley did not keep the fans guessing as provided a crystal clear answer to the same.

Can the America’s Team keep both Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb under the same umbrella?

A simple answer, per the experts, is No. Even though despite such star players like Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Aaron Parsons, the America’s Team has failed to end the Super Bowl drought for almost three decades. While numbers play in favor of these players like Lamb’s 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns and Prescott’s 4,516 yards and 36 TDs, the Ws aren’t advocating for them.

With uncertainty looming over the team’s and players’ future, experts like Charles Haley and Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News have made some bold claims. Haley downright called out the Cowboys on the Up & Adams Show and said, “Trade Dak, just put him up for the trade. Guess what? Every team in the league would be after him. Every team in the league.”

While this option from the former player’s side is a suggestion in Prescott’s favor as pointed out by him, he highlighted how valuable the QB is to any team. But, the suggestion has a slight hiccup. Trading Dak Prescott isn’t easy since the quarterback has a no-trade provision. What this implies is that, in order to trade him to keep the other two players, the franchise requires to obtain his permission for the transfer.

Apart from this, Watkins informed how the Cowboys’ front office might be viewing the situation: “The Cowboys are putting Lamb’s contract extension talks ahead of quarterback Dak Prescott’s. Prescott is expected to be on the field next Thursday for the first training camp practice of the summer…When Lamb arrives in Southern California for work is unknown. A person with knowledge of Lamb’s thinking said a final decision hasn’t been made on whether he will continue his holdout when training camp starts.”

From the entire conversation and drama surrounding the America’s team, one thing is clear, the Cowboys are in for some tough negotiations and decision-making. Only time will tell if they are able to secure a solid team momentum or if their delay with the off-season actions will cost them gravely. What are your thoughts regarding the entire muddle? Share your thoughts below.