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While most of the discussion around Dak Prescott has been about his contract status, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is thinking about his star quarterback and team being better in 2024.
Speaking to reporters at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, Jones explained he’s “convinced” Prescott and the Cowboys can “be better” next season after a disappointing end to the 2023 season:
“We just have in mind the team that’s going on the field this year. And we all know that every team in this league has limitations as far as where they are on the cap and where they are in the draft and where they are with their free agents, who they can use the franchise tag. You only have one. All of those kinds of things.
“But my point is that we can be better. Dak can play better than he has maybe, we could argue one of the best years he’s ever had in his career. But the good news is, I’m convinced that he can play better and I’m convinced that we can do some things better all the way around and so we’re all in.”
One sentiment that keeps coming up with the Cowboys is being “all in” next season. Jones gave his definition of what that means, but there will likely be a more clear understanding of it when the team can make additions to the roster.
Of course, the Cowboys don’t currently have any cap space to upgrade their roster. They are $4 million over the cap as things stand right now. There are plenty of moves they can make to clear space.
Extending Prescott, who is entering the final season of his current contract, would be the easiest way to open up cap space. He has the second-highest cap hit among all quarterbacks next season at $59.5 million.
Even though Prescott struggled in the Cowboys’ playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers, he had a phenomenal regular season and was the biggest reason they won the NFC East. The 30-year-old set career-highs in completion percentage (69.5) and touchdown passes (36).
Despite Prescott’s success, Jones hasn’t ruled out letting his star quarterback play out his contract. If the Cowboys don’t extend Prescott, they can restructure his deal to create up to $18.5 million in cap space.
Other moves the Cowboys can make to clear cap space is extending CeeDee Lamb and/or Micah Parsons. Lamb would seem to be the higher priority because 2024 is the final season of his rookie deal.
The Cowboys are under a microscope every season, but 2024 could be particularly intense for the franchise. They could be going into a year with Prescott poised to enter true free agency next offseason because he can’t be tagged.
Head coach Mike McCarthy is on an expiring contract and likely on the hot seat after failing to get past the divisional round in each of the past three seasons, despite the team winning 12 games each year.
