The Dallas Cowboys' front office is facing criticism for its lack of urgency in securing contract extensions for key players, including star quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and EDGE Micah Parsons. As the 2025 offseason approaches, the Cowboys risk losing not only their franchise quarterback but also the opportunity to lock in their rising stars in the league.

Entering the final year of his four-year, $160 million contract, Prescott has yet to sign an extension with the team. Despite Cowboys' VP Stephen Jones emphasizing that reaching a deal with Prescott is a top priority, the overall pace of negotiations has been disappointingly slow. This lackadaisical approach from the Dallas front office could potentially jeopardize the team's "all in" window.

While the Cowboys currently have over $5 million in salary cap space for 2024, their cap situation drastically improves in 2025 and beyond, placing them in a position to accommodate all three players' contracts. However, the team's decision to delay contract discussions may come back to haunt them.

Prescott's contract negotiations are a prime example of the consequences of timing. Quarterbacks such as Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, and Lamar Jackson secured their extensions before the 2023 season, influencing the guaranteed money and annual salary figures. With rising stars like Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence, Lions' Jared Goff, and Packers' Jordan Love soon entering contract discussions, the Cowboys find themselves in a precarious situation with Prescott's asking price potentially skyrocketing.

Nevertheless, the Cowboys cannot simply use being priced out as an excuse. The team has had ample opportunities to secure Prescott's future by extending his contract post-season or even now. In a sport that requires swift decision-making when it comes to contracts, Dallas' patient approach may cost them dearly. It is in their best interest to strike a deal with Prescott before his market value escalates significantly.

This reluctance by the Cowboys to secure long-term contracts extends beyond Prescott. Their reactive approach to contracts has been evident in the past, with the franchise tag placed on Prescott in 2019, making him the highest cap hit in the NFL at that time. Unfortunately, this inactivity has persisted into the 2024 offseason, putting not only Prescott's future but also Lamb's and Parsons' contract negotiations on hold.

The impending contract of CeeDee Lamb holds particular intrigue, as his contemporaries Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, and Brandon Aiyuk are likely to reset the wide receiver market. Inactivity on the Cowboys' part prevents them from gaining an advantageous position in negotiations with Lamb, possibly leading to his departure to another team.

If the Cowboys are truly committed to being "all in," securing a contract extension for Prescott would provide them with the flexibility to acquire free agents in positions of need for the upcoming 2024 season. However, their lack of urgency and proactive approach could potentially result in losing their franchise quarterback and forcing them to embark on another quarterback search.

As the 2025 offseason looms, fans and analysts alike question the Cowboys' desire to pay their star players what they are worth. The team's reactive decision-making style and the failure to prioritize contracts in a timely manner raise concerns about the franchise's long-term stability. Only time will reveal whether the Cowboys can rectify their lack of urgency and retain their key players, safeguarding their future success on the field.