The Dallas Cowboys recently cleared nearly $57 million in 2025 salary cap space by restructuring the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. How the franchise decides to spend that money, or not spend it, could end up defining the team for several seasons to come.
Owner Jerry Jones explained to fans that despite the Prescott and Lamb moves, they shouldn't necessarily expect Dallas to go wild in free agency.
But even if the Cowboys don't pursue several big-name free agents when the negotiating period officially opens on Monday, March 10, the team has at least one massive financial decision looming with a player already on the roster -- edge rusher Micah Parsons.
Parsons is entering the fifth-year team option on his rookie deal, which pays him $24 million in 2025. However, Myles Garrett just inked a record-breaking $160 million contract with the Cleveland Browns Sunday, making him the most recent highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby recently held that distinction, albeit for a very short while, and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson owned the moniker before him. The next two players who could potentially surpass the $40 million annual average salary that Garrett just attained are Parsons and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
Former NFL great and three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt sent a stern warning to the Cowboys and the Bengals alike on how to handle the extension-eligible superstars on their respective rosters as free agency nears its launch.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 9, 2025Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run.
Dragging it out not only ends up costing more, it creates unnecessary tension.
The longer you wait, the higher the price. https://t.co/EX72OYWEh5
"Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run," Watt posted to X Sunday. "Dragging it out not only ends up costing more, it creates unnecessary tension. The longer you wait, the higher the price."
