Dallas Cowboys 2024: Navigating Uncharted Waters
In 2024, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a precarious situation, which team owner Jerry Jones describes as "up in the air." Despite securing at least 12 wins and making postseason appearances in three consecutive seasons, the Cowboys have yet to advance to the conference championship round. This year, the stakes are higher than ever, both on and off the field.
Financial constraints loom large for the Cowboys, primarily due to quarterback Dak Prescott’s significant $55.1 million cap hit, the second highest in the league. Additionally, star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb enters the final year of his contract carrying a $17.991 million fifth-year option. Lamb has made headlines by opting out of both the spring offseason program and training camp, with Stephen Jones revealing his ambition to become the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback, aiming to surpass Justin Jefferson’s $35 million per year.
Lamb’s stance puts additional pressure on the Dallas front office, which has been relatively inactive in addressing the contracts of major players whose deals expire in 2025. This includes the coaching staff, as Mike McCarthy and his team are all entering the final year of their contracts. The unresolved contract situations could present distractions in a critical season for the organization.
Reflecting on the team’s current state, Jerry Jones said, "We’re option-quarterbacking, and we’re going out toward the sideline, and we haven’t handed it off or pitched it." His metaphor aptly captures the indecision and uncertainty gripping the Cowboys as they approach pivotal moments in their franchise's trajectory.
The Cowboys’ front office is unique in the NFL, as it is run by the owner’s family, a distinction that combines passion with an unusual level of involvement in day-to-day operations. "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," Jones said. "I don't know for sure if it's going to work. But I am giving it everything I've got." His commitment to the team is unwavering, despite the complicated landscape they navigate.
The stress and strain of Prescott and Lamb entering their deal’s final years are compounded by the team’s recent history of falling short in the playoffs. A 13-year streak of playoff appearances without a single conference championship berth underscores the frustration and yearning for deeper postseason success. The financial gamble on Prescott, alongside the potential massive payout to retain Lamb, forces the team into a high-risk, high-reward scenario.
Last year, the team faced a brief holdout from All-Pro guard Zach Martin, who eventually attended camp once his contract situation was resolved. Similarly, Ezekiel Elliott was signed to a six-year, $90 million extension before being released in the 2023 offseason—a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of NFL contracts and roster stability.
Jones’s tenure has seen only two general managers in Cowboys history: Tex Schramm and himself. "I think the Cowboys have had two GMs ... Tex Schramm and me. Two. In the history," Jones noted, emphasizing the rare continuity in leadership. Yet this consistency hasn’t translated into recent championship success, putting additional scrutiny on the decision-making processes in the front office.
Despite the pressures, there are bright spots. Perhaps most notably, Dallas experienced the highest rate of season-ticket renewals Stephen Jones has ever seen—demonstrating the unwavering loyalty and hope of Cowboys fans. "I listen to the people around me. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be sitting here," Jerry Jones asserted, acknowledging the collective effort driving the franchise.
As the 2024 season unfolds, the Cowboys will need to balance finance, performance, and contract negotiations, all while striving to break their conference championship drought. The coming months promise to be critical in shaping the future of one of the NFL's storied franchises, with no shortage of drama and high stakes on the horizon.