In 2024, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves navigating treacherous waters, with their future "up in the air," as Jerry Jones aptly puts it. Despite their consistent postseason presence with at least 12 wins in three consecutive seasons, the Cowboys have yet to break through to the conference championship round, and their situation is further complicated by financial strain and unresolved player contracts.
One of the most significant financial burdens the Cowboys face is Dak Prescott's looming $55.1 million cap hit in 2024, making it the second highest in the league. Alongside Prescott, CeeDee Lamb also presents a financial conundrum with his $17.991 million fifth-year option. Lamb, holding out from both the spring offseason program and training camp, aims to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, looking to surpass Justin Jefferson’s $35 million per year. Stephen Jones acknowledged this ambition, highlighting the impending contract challenges for the Cowboys.
The coaching staff situation adds another layer of uncertainty, as Mike McCarthy and his team are contractually in their final year in 2024. Moreover, the Dallas front office has yet to take substantial steps to address major players' contracts, all set to expire in 2025. This prolonged delay in negotiations has cast a shadow of ambiguity over the team’s continuity and future performance.
Amid these issues, the Cowboys' front office remains a family-run operation, a rarity in the NFL. Jerry Jones reflected on the team's management history, noting, "I think the Cowboys have had two GMs ... Tex Schramm and me. Two. In the history." This unique operational structure continues to shape the team's day-to-day operations and long-term decisions.
Financial challenges are not new to the Cowboys. Zach Martin’s brief holdout in camp last year over contract disputes serves as a reminder. He eventually attended once his contract situation was resolved, but the echoes of financial discord linger. Similarly, Ezekiel Elliott, who was re-signed to a six-year, $90 million extension, was released in the 2023 offseason, illustrating the tough decisions the front office has had to make.
The stakes couldn't be higher for Prescott and Lamb, both entering the final year of their deals. Jerry Jones candidly discussed the current state of affairs by using an evocative metaphor: "We’re option-quarterbacking, and we’re going out toward the sideline, and we haven’t handed it off or pitched it." He added, "That's what we're doing. We're waiting for something to happen in the morning." These statements underscore the team's state of limbo and the uncertainty surrounding their financial and competitive strategy.
Despite these challenges, there are reasons for optimism. Dallas saw the highest rate of season-ticket renewals Stephen Jones had ever observed, indicating a solid and engaged fan base. The loyalty and enthusiasm of the Cowboys’ supporters offer a silver lining amid the contractual and financial clouds looming over the team.
Jerry Jones remains introspective about his tenure and the risks taken along the way. "I know that I have had a lot of mistakes in these years... but the same imagination, the same risk-taking, the same taking risks but being pragmatic, that's how we got here," he remarked. This philosophy has driven the Cowboys through highs and lows, and Jones's commitment remains unwavering. "I don't know for sure if it's going to work. But I am giving it everything I've got," he affirmed.
As the Cowboys strive to overcome their 13-year streak of playoff appearances without reaching the conference championship, the 2024 season stands as a pivotal juncture. The decisions made in the coming months regarding key player contracts, coaching staff futures, and financial management will shape the team's trajectory. With Jerry Jones at the helm, characterized by his blend of risk-taking and pragmatism, the Cowboys are poised to give it everything they've got to overcome the challenges ahead.