Dak Prescott’s four-year $240 million extension ($60M average annual value, $231M guaranteed) makes him NFL’s highest-paid player yet consumes just $50.5 million 2025 cap space after restructure converts $45 million salary to bonus.
The September 2024 agreement escalates to $74 million 2026 cap hit before ballooning to $78.4 million by 2028 creating inevitable future reckoning.
Dallas dedicates $29.53 million paying former players representing 10.6% of $279.2 million league ceiling with DeMarcus Lawrence ($7.45M), Brandin Cooks ($4M), and Tyron Smith ($3.54M) consuming largest dead cap penalties.
Cowboys maintain $22 million projected available space ranking seventh NFL-wide despite premium contracts for CeeDee Lamb ($15.3M cap hit on $34M AAV) and Micah Parsons ($24M fifth-year option) anchoring roster.
View comprehensive Dallas squad biographies and net worth breakdowns for each player.
America’s Team Spending Breakdown
Prescott’s restructured $50.5M represents highest quarterback cap charge NFL-wide until 2026 when number explodes past $74M. Parsons ($24M), Terence Steele ($18.1M), and Lamb ($15.3M) complete top-four with nine Cowboys exceeding $10M annually creating tight budget constraints.
| Player | Position | 2025 Cap Hit | Contract AAV | Dead Cap Risk | Status |
| Dak Prescott | QB | $50.5M | $60M | $103M+ (if traded) | Extended through 2028 |
| Micah Parsons | EDGE | $24M | 5th-year option | $0 (option year) | Extension talks stalled |
| Terence Steele | RT | $18.1M | $17M | $8.1M | Locked through 2026 |
| CeeDee Lamb | WR | $15.3M | $34M | $82M GTD total | Extended through 2028 |
| Trevon Diggs | CB | $12.6M | $19.4M | $16.7M (2025) | Locked through 2028 |
| Zack Martin | OG | $12.2M | $18M | $2.8M | Final year (retirement?) |
| Jourdan Lewis | CB | $8.5M | $11M | $5M | Extended March 2024 |
| Osa Odighizuwa | DT | $7.9M | – | $7.9M GTD | 5th-year option |
| Jake Ferguson | TE | $6.3M | – | – | Rookie deal year 3 |
| DeMarvion Overshown | LB | $5.9M | – | – | Rookie deal year 2 |
Prescott’s creative restructure lowered base salary from $74M to $1.255M league minimum while converting $45M to signing bonus spreading charges through 2029. His 2026 number jumps to $74.068M requiring another restructure or extension creating perpetual kick-the-can-down-the-road cycle.
Parsons plays 2025 on $24.007M fifth-year option with stalled extension talks creating uncertainty. His trade request publicly acknowledged by Jerry Jones who stated he won’t honor it leaving 2017 #12 overall pick in contract limbo heading toward 2026 free agency.
CeeDee’s Four-Year Holdout Resolution
Lamb ended August 2024 holdout through $136M extension ($34M AAV, $100M guaranteed, $38M signing bonus) making him second-highest paid WR behind Justin Jefferson ($35M). His restructure in March 2025 converted $20M salary to bonus reducing 2025 cap to $15.332M versus original $29M+ projection.
Rolling Guarantees: Lamb’s 2026 salary ($31M) becomes fully guaranteed March 2025 with additional $7M 2027 protection triggering March 2026 creating automatic escalators protecting four-year commitment.
Performance Justification: 135 catches, 1,749 yards, 12 TDs in 2023 plus 2024 Pro Bowl selection validated $100M guaranteed investment. His 395 career receptions through four seasons averaging 98.75 yearly demonstrates elite consistency.
Cap Impact Evolution: Current $15.3M charge balloons to $42.2M by 2028 requiring another restructure before rookie deal successor arrives creating perpetual WR1 investment cycle.
Dak’s $90M Net Worth Journey
Prescott accumulated $90 million through projected $296.3M career earnings by end 2025 season. His pathway from $2.7M rookie contract to $240M extension represents NFL’s greatest late-round success story (2016 fourth round, #135 overall).
| Player | Est. Net Worth | Career Earnings | AAV | Off-Field Income |
| Dak Prescott | $90M | $296.3M (through 2025) | $60M | $14M endorsements |
| CeeDee Lamb | $25M-$35M | $55M+ | $34M | Nike, AT&T |
| Micah Parsons | $15M-$25M | $42M+ | 5th-year | Under Armour |
| Zack Martin | $30M-$40M | $120M+ | $18M | Regional brands |
| Trevon Diggs | $12M-$20M | $58M+ | $19.4M | – |
Prescott’s endorsement portfolio includes Jordan Brand (2021 switch from Adidas), AT&T, Beats by Dre, DirectTV, 7-Eleven, Sleep Number generating $14M annually beyond $60M football salary. His $74M total 2025 earnings rank third NFL-wide behind Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
Lamb’s rapid wealth accumulation stems from $32.5M rookie earnings plus $38M signing bonus (August 2024) creating $70M+ three-year total. His Nike partnership and AT&T deals project $2-3M annual off-field income growing post-extension publicity.
Dead Money Drag: $29.5M Paying Ghosts
Cowboys’ 10.6% dead cap allocation ranks eighth-worst NFL limiting free agency flexibility. Lawrence ($7.45M), Cooks ($4M), and Smith ($3.54M) represent largest penalties from restructured deals creating deferred pain.
Lawrence’s Final Bill: Released March 2025 after 11-year tenure creating $7.45M charge from signing bonus proration. His $21M 2024 cap hit restructured twice (2022, 2023) spreading guaranteed money through 2025 void years.
Cooks’ Trade Fallout: Acquisition from Texans (2023) featured immediate extension creating $4M dead money despite productive 657-yard season before 2025 release.
Restructure Addiction: Dallas’ perpetual kick-the-can strategy with Prescott, Lamb, and others creates escalating dead cap exposure. Future charges from current restructures project $15-20M annually 2026-2029.
Cowboys project $22M current space but minimal 2026 flexibility as Prescott ($74M), Lamb ($32M), and potential Parsons extension ($35M+ projected) consume available ceiling.
FAQs
Who is Dallas’ highest-paid player?
Dak Prescott carries $50.5M 2025 cap hit ($60M AAV through 2028) making him NFL’s most expensive player. His four-year $240M extension features $231M guaranteed with $80M signing bonus creating $90M net worth through projected $296.3M career earnings including $14M annual endorsements.
What is CeeDee Lamb’s contract worth?
Lamb signed four-year $136M extension August 2024 ($34M AAV, $100M guaranteed, $38M signing bonus) making him second-highest paid WR. His rolling guarantees protect $31M 2026 salary (guaranteed March 2025) plus $7M 2027 (March 2026) creating automatic four-year commitment through 2028.
Will Micah Parsons get extended?
Extension talks stalled with Parsons playing 2025 on $24M fifth-year option despite trade request publicly acknowledged by Jerry Jones. Projected $35-40M AAV market rate creates cap challenge given Prescott ($74M 2026) and Lamb ($32M) commitments making 2026 free agency departure increasingly likely.
How much dead cap do Cowboys have?
Dallas carries $29.53M dead money (10.6% of cap) paying 13 former players: DeMarcus Lawrence ($7.45M), Brandin Cooks ($4M), Tyron Smith ($3.54M), Ezekiel Elliott ($2.76M). Restructure addiction with Prescott/Lamb creates perpetual dead cap exposure projecting $15-20M annually through 2029.
What is Dak Prescott’s net worth?
Prescott’s $90M net worth stems from $296.3M projected career earnings (through 2025) plus $14M annual endorsements with Jordan Brand, AT&T, Beats, DirectTV, 7-Eleven, Sleep Number. His $2.7M rookie contract to $240M extension represents NFL’s greatest fourth-round success ($60M AAV highest in history).
