Parsons is in camp with 2 years left on his rookie deal, along with possible multiple franchise tags. He has zero leverage. Yes, he can hold out in the future, not get paid, and still be under contract to the Cowboys. He doesn’t think he needs the practice anyway as a pass rusher, so his holdout would mean nothing until the real games begin, and if a player holds out for the season, he gains nothing towards free agency.
Dak is under contract for what, 53 million this year? No way he is impacted this season in any way. He gets signed before spring, or he becomes an unrestricted free agent, and the Cowboys get nothing for mishandling a successful starting QB in the NFL. That’s unheard of stupidity that very well may come to be. He is in camp.
Lamb is in the final and most lucrative year of his rookie contract. I believe he is overplaying his hand by holding out. Common sense tells me that Jerry learned his lesson about paying players who are under contract but holding out (Zeke). Lamb’s only leverage is to hurt the team. He holds out, but at some point he has no choice but to come in and play. If he doesn’t, he forfeits money, but remains under contract with Dallas. Then Dallas can also franchise him. If he comes in at the last minute later in the season to have this year count, his play and rep will suffer; his value decreases unless he can come in and play huge mid year after sitting out; and Dallas can still franchise him.
Personlly, I believe Dak is a top 10-12 QB and that those who rate him lower are just emotional. That said, I don’t think he is worth 55 million or more, but that’s not a point that actually matters. Dak has to either be the priority signing, or Jerry has to question signing Lamb or Parsons anytime soon. Even those who blame Dak for every postseason failure by the team can see that finding a better or even similarly effective QB is not easy. Getting no value for Dak because he cannot be traded severely hampers any fast fix at QB. So why pay Lamb top WR money before you have your QB. It is actually very likely that by the time we have a new franchise QB, Lamb and Parsons would already be approaching their third contracts.
Parsons is a great player, but how large is his impact on wins and loses?
Lamb is a great WR reaching his peak and still improving, but what impact will he have on wins and losses over the next few years while we look for another franchise QB?
I like all three guys and am a fan of Dak Prescott, but at this point, I think I’d look at RBs and DTs who become available as final rosters are formed, and I don’t sign any of the three. Play out 2024 with the best team I can put on the field. My first decision for 2025 is do I resign Dak or not. If I decide I cannot do it, and I let him walk, then I resign Parsons assuming he has a great 2024. I franchise Lamb and trade him because paying him 30 million without a QB makes no sense, and maybe I can use what I get for Lamb to try and get a QB.
