Cowboys Face $66 Million Cap Shake-Up

Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb's contracts could be impacted by the team's salary cap situation.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:15am

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The Dallas Cowboys are facing a $66 million salary cap crunch that could force them to restructure the contracts of star players like quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, according to reports. The team's owner and general manager, Jerry Jones, has a history of making questionable roster moves, leading to frustration among Cowboys fans.

Why it matters

The Cowboys' salary cap situation could have a major impact on their ability to retain key players and field a competitive team in the upcoming season. Restructuring contracts could provide short-term relief but may create long-term challenges.

The details

The Cowboys are reportedly facing a $66 million salary cap shortfall, which could force them to make difficult decisions about how to allocate their limited resources. Restructuring the contracts of players like Prescott and Lamb could provide immediate cap relief, but it may also limit the team's flexibility in future seasons.

  • The Cowboys' salary cap situation has been an ongoing issue for several years.
  • The team will need to make decisions about contract restructuring in the coming weeks before the start of the new NFL season.

The players

Jerry Jones

The owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, who has faced criticism from fans for his roster management decisions.

Dak Prescott

The Cowboys' starting quarterback, whose contract could be impacted by the team's salary cap situation.

CeeDee Lamb

The Cowboys' star wide receiver, whose contract could also be affected by the team's salary cap challenges.

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What they’re saying

“I would bet that we will spend more money in free agency than we have,”

— Jerry Jones

What’s next

The Cowboys will need to make decisions about how to restructure player contracts in the coming weeks to address their salary cap situation before the start of the new NFL season.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' salary cap challenges highlight the ongoing difficulties faced by NFL teams in balancing the need to field a competitive roster with the constraints of the league's salary cap. The team's decisions in the coming weeks could have significant implications for their ability to retain key players and compete in the 2026 season.