This is a very interesting era in regard to folks being able to earn millions on social media by simply posting product endorsements to their followers. If Jerry and son were smart (and they aren't), they would leverage this personal branding aspect in contract negotiations. A players personal brand is worth way more in Dallas b/c they have more eyes on them.........more people watching them........more people listening when they talk...........all of this leads to more social media followers which creates huge endorsement opportunities for them..............opportunities created from the exposure they can only get as a Dallas Cowboy.
So, why can't Jerry say to a guy like Jaylon Smith " sign with us for less money and you will more than make up for it with the exposure you will get as a Dallas Cowboy. Your brand will be worth way more here than anywhere else". Then Jaylon and his agent can go do the math and see that he's got way more avenues of making money as a Dallas Cowboy than he would in just about any other NFL city. If Jaylon signs with Tampa, for example, nobody would pay any attention b/c there's no national media exposure and his brand would be near worthless.
They do talk about this with players. Jones has done this in the media when talking about dak.
Jaylon signed a very team friendly deal. Compared to a guy who also signed this yr on a yr shorter deal, shaq thomson. He signed for 4 yrs 54mil, Jaylon signed 6 yrs 68.
The difference is the structure Thompson is making 7mil and 14 mil over the next 2 yrs and 15 in the 3rd yr, Jaylon is making 7mil and 9mil in the next 2 yrs and can be released after the 2nd yr if hes not producing, but even if he does he's still only making 11 in that 3rd yr.
This is what i talk about when i say people need to get their minds off that overall number in a contract and look at how its structured. Dallas is killing it with these new deals. Dallas could literally get rid of Elliot, Lawrence and Smith after the 2022 season and save 36mil on the cap.
