Jerry Jones decided to pay Dak Prescott ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Flash-forward to 2025, the Dallas Cowboys are revisiting that record-breaking contract to improve their chances to succeed this year.
According to Todd Archer of ESPN NFL Nation, the Cowboys have restructured Prescott’s contract. The move is reportedly opening up $36.6 million in cap space for the 2025 season, giving Jones more wiggle room to improve the roster.
This move comes only a day after Dallas reworked the contract of star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, freeing up $20 million for 2025. Therefore, the Cowboys now have created a total of $56.6 million in cap room in two days.
Lamb, 25, was handed a four-year, $136 million extension in August 2024 to make him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL with an annual average salary of $34 million.
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on while warming up before a game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Prescott, on the other hand, received a four-year, $240 million contract a month after Lamb. That deal made the Cowboys star the highest-paid player in NFL history, showing Jones’ belief in the quarterback.
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Jones expects Prescott to put Cowboys back on their feet
But while the Cowboys paying their stars gave fans reasons for optimism, the team ended up having a disappointing campaign. With Prescott injured, Dallas finished third in the NFC East with a 7-10 record, which wasn’t good enough for a playoff berth.
Dak made it clear to Jones and the rest of the NFL that he’ll be ready to right the ship in 2025, but his lucrative contract appeared to be a burden this season. His restructured deal will allow the front office to explore ways to add more talent after a forgettable campaign.
Jones says Cowboys won’t be ‘aggressive’ in free agency
Jones, however, warned Cowboys fans not to expect the team to do crazy things in the open market, as the franchise owner considers that most gaps could be filled in the 2025 NFL Draft: “I don’t think aggressive is the right word. … I’m not looking at free agency as a place to fill voids.”
Free agency will be full of interesting names that could boost Prescott’s offense. A flurry of moves on Tuesday saw multiple pass catchers become available, with the likes of DK Metcalf, Christian Kirk, and Tyler Lockett among the most interesting names. However, Dallas has other positions to take care of in order to build a competitive team, and its increased cap space could be used to address those needs.
