Has the time come for Cowboys’ to worry about their stars?

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t worked out extensions with any of their big three contracts, is it time to worry? | From @BenGrimaldi

Upper management for the Dallas Cowboys has played it cool, calm, and collected over the past four months. They’ve led all fans of the team to believe they’ll be fine for the 2024 season, but is it time to worry?

Not according to Jerry and Stephen Jones. Signing free agents? No need, we’ve got guys we like and expect to step up. The Cowboys’ brass also loved their draft, despite some criticism that many of their picks will take some time to develop.

And what about those contracts, fellas? Again, no cause for concern, because the Joneses have run the gambit of catchphrases to justify their inactivity. They’re waiting for more leaves to fall, there’s only so much they can spend under the restraints of the cap, it takes two to get a deal done, or getting snippy in a press conference about them “not working” on the deals.

Now, with approximately three weeks until training camp opens, there still hasn’t been any movement on deals for quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb or edge rusher Micah Parsons. And worse, there don’t appear to be any deals on the horizon, publicly at least, feeding rumors Lamb will ask to be traded absent a contract extension that doesn’t include at least $32 million annually.

Right now, that’s an unfounded report, but it does signal a larger issue, that Lamb could be getting tired of waiting on a new deal. The All-Pro WR hasn’t been around the team all offseason in hopes of getting a lucrative extension and watched other receivers get their raises as the Cowboys twiddle their thumbs.

There’s no evidence Lamb will sit out or request to be traded, and there’s still time to work out a new contract. The Cowboys are notorious for getting deals done at, or during camp, so there’s hope that Lamb, Parsons, or Prescott could get their extensions at any time. Last summer, the team worked out a long-term deal with All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs and extended right guard Zack Martin during camp, although that took a short hold out to get done. Could the same be in store for Lamb?

Prescott has taken the situation in stride, continuing to hammer the point that he’s comfortable playing out the final year of his deal, controlling what he can control.

Prescott also knows he holds all the leverage, if he doesn’t work out a new deal with the Cowboys, he’ll become a free agent and will hit the open market in 2025 as perhaps the biggest free agent in league history. The All-Pro QB has stated this offseason he doesn’t fear playing for another team, so he’s prepared to move on if necessary.

Losing two of your best players, presumably before the 2025 season, feels like it should be cause for concern.

Parsons is still a few years away from becoming a unrestricted free agent and Dallas could use the franchise tag on him to keep him around, but he’s also smart enough to know that he’s going to break the bank eventually. It had to be noted by the Cowboys last month when he said he was going to “set the market” when it came time to get paid. That should’ve been enough to make the Joneses sweat with fear over paying Parsons.

Playing this game of chicken with arguably their three best players is a poor way to do business, as most of Cowboys Nation has noted this offseason. However, Jerry and Stephen Jones don’t appear to be phased by it in the least. If the organization isn’t worried now, with the possible threat of losing their best WR, or their top-tier QB, when will the panic set in?

Many fans are well past the point of concern and have no faith the Joneses will come through with extensions (at the very least) for Lamb or Prescott. The Cowboys aren’t worried, but they’re in the minority.

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