The Dallas Cowboys might be having the off-season from hell. They’re coming off one of the worst playoff upsets in franchise history, getting blown out at home by first-year starter Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers. They did nothing of note to improve their roster in free agency or on the trade market. Their defensive coordinator left to become head coach of the rival Washington Commanders. If that weren’t bad enough, it now appears their owner is dragging his feet in efforts to pay his four best players. The Chicago Bears and other teams must be watching with incredulity.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is slated to become a free agent next year. Many feel he could command upwards of $60 million per year. Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb could join him, likely cracking $30 million. That doesn’t even count All-Pro guard Zack Martin, who might be the only one holding their offensive line together. Jones had a chance to calm people down about the lack of progress on Lamb’s deal.
Let’s just say he fumbled the ball.
It didn’t take long for the Cowboys wide receiver to respond.
This created an additional problem. Micah Parsons, Dallas’ superstar pass rusher, also needs a new deal. He retweeted Lamb’s response to Jones, which is a good indication of whose side he’s on.
Right now, the Cowboys are in salary cap hell. They have three stars, and all need new contracts. All have a case for resetting the market at their respective positions. It is hard to calculate how Dallas is able to pay all three and have anything left to build a competitive team. That is why some wonder if they may have to sacrifice one of those players or find a way to create more space to accommodate them. Right now, it feels like Parsons might be the odd man out. Prescott can’t go anywhere. He’s still a top quarterback. Jones isn’t stupid enough to let those walk. Lamb is by far the best receiver Dallas has.
Parsons is almost sure to command $34 million or more per year, just like Nick Bosa in San Francisco. Dallas may not be able to pay that, which could force them to trade the star pass rusher. The Chicago Bears need somebody opposite Montez Sweat. They have the benefit of a quarterback on a rookie contract. Making a deal that satisfies Parsons’ demands wouldn’t be difficult. He is the caliber of player worth going all in for.
Even if that isn’t plausible, the Bears could still go for a more practice option in Demarcus Lawrence. Though in his 30s, he’s still a disruptive rusher in his own right. He had 48 pressures last season. The Cowboys would gain $10 million in cap space if they traded him. His $20 million price tag is much more affordable and could be lowered with a small extension. Either way, the Bears boost their defense right where it’s needed.
