Rusty's 3 year plan (Buckle Up)

[RustyBourneHorse]

I give you props for the effort, but I instantly quit reading at Rivera at DC and eventual HC…I can’t possibly dream up a worse idea.

I mean, I think it's likely down to him and Zimmer. I'd love Vrabel, but we know how Jerry is.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

If you're planning to dump McCarthy after going 9-8 with him then you might as well dump Dak now, eat the cap hit, and turn things over the Trey Lance. McCarthy is not bad with QBs (minus Ben DiNucci) so maybe he can raise Lance's value or even turn him into something to keep. Lance could get the team to around .500 just the same as Dak could in your model. See about moving a piece or two to maybe jump up for another QB in this draft and go into next season with Lance, a first rounder, and the giant cap hit from Dak. Trade one the the QBs the following season for as many picks as possible.

P.S. I am not anti or pro Dak.

I could take it or leave it with Mike tbh, but it seems that Mike is likely gone after this year, so I wrote the OP assuming Mike leaves after 2024.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

The problem with playing Dak out against the existing $59m is whether he/we are capable of running it back, with the inferior roster we'll have compared to 2023.
I suppose the argument is, if we're heading on him leaving after 2024 and drafting his replacement in 2025. Why not post June cut, save the $34m (which could be used at the in season deadline, ic we have a chance).
We'd play the season with Lance.....who'd either show promise, or he'll fail and get us that better pick for the QB.

And, especially given our schedule this year, it makes sense imo, if we are not keeping Dak after next season, to June 1 him as 1. It'll be a challenge to win 5-6 games anyway without a solid run game, and 2. It forces us to focus on the run more.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

You had me until you wanted to extend Prescot's contract! That's a no go as far as A LOT of Cowboy Nation is concerned. Prescot was exposed again against the lowest seed in the playoffs! He's proven that he cannot get the job done so it's time to move on from him and his ridiculous meaningless stats! At this point I could careless is he took a 40 million dollar a year pay cut, he still is who he is and that's a less than mediocre, below average QB in meaningful games. The dude reminds me of a bag of pistachio nuts everything I walk by them in Costco, the nuts are all cracked open, with their sickly-looking green color!

The only reason is the contract. If you notice, I make it very clear that it only works if there's an out during the contract that allows us to move on from him. If he will not take it, then June 1 him and let Lance sink or swim.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

You keep setting on this TylerB thing and most of us are telling you that is not a sure thing and I doubt they're keeping him if he asked too much you could put Hoffman in there right now and probably not do much worse, I mean that's how you can get better in the draft is get a new center or you know people didn't think that Connor Williams was any good here he was an average guard and people said move him to center and and fans said no way he can play center get rid of the guy and he started I'm one of the best offenses in the league last year so why even throw out the notion that say Hoffman could be turned into a good center... At least a bridge you get a rookie in here there are a lot of talk to Cowboys might pick a center in the first round I think they should go linebacker but if there's not one there centers gotta be high on the board if you don't wanna pay Tyler... He's a solid player but he's one of those guys that you probably don't pay big money because he's not so good that he's not replaceable....

The other two yes we probably gotta sign lamb and Parsons but first of all you could do 50 year options on those guys you can franchise tag them but you can set their contracts up say like the Sean Watson he only got like $11 million his first year and then it it grew big time as the years go on in the contract they're young enough where you can pay them very little their first two years to make up for Prescott and then they get big time escalators later on that's how you kick the can down the road... So just for 2024 if you sign one of those guys you just make their contract structure be you sign them for very little for 2024 and then it get pretty big in 2025 and then it get really big in 2026 and 2027 and beyond... How do you think some of these other teams do this like the Rams and the Eagles being all in they structure contracts like that some of them might be big in the first two years but others and most of them are big way down the road and they end up taking a huge cap hit if they have to cut those players and dead cap money later but that's how you manipulate the cap and it's not a popular thing to do but some teams have done it and if he is truly all in that is what you're gonna have to do....​

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I mean it's just my opinion but Prescott's contract is gonna be in the 55 to $60 million a year range his new deal and you sign him to a big new deal and you try to spread some of that money out I mean it's probably gonna still be pretty big it's first year anyway I mean it's probably gonna be in that$50 million range no matter how you slice it it's gonna be big it doesn't seem like a lot more money just to take the big cap hit this year under his current contract...

Now the only downside with that that some people would see is possibly he being upset and he's gonna be a true free agent maybe he leaves maybe he gets the market up by having multiple bidders raise it up even bigger than it would be if we signed him now and we're not bidding against other people...​

​

I'm just saying I believe it would be better for the team for Mike McCarthy and Prescott to both be on one year deals and they need to prove it to stay and if not you're not passing along this quarterback onto another head coach and another staff that may not want him yeah if they want to move on this would be the best way to do it..​

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who really knows what jerry meant by all e who really knows what jerry meant by all in..we are about to find out.​

I understand this, but Dak's cap hit prevents him from just being a sit and see situation. The way I see it, we either have to June 1 him or extend him. To me, if we go with the latter option, then it makes sense to have an out year built in just in case. That way, it's sort of a 2 year prove it deal in what's shown as a 4 year deal.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

dang take that horse head off, I think you're being deprived of oxygen.

How much of my OP did you actually comprehend? When I said extend Dak, it's basically a 2 year deal built into a 4 year deal. It gives us an out after being able to draft his replacement to sit a year. If Dak doesn't take it, then June 1 him and see how Lance does knowing we likely have to draft a QB in 2025 anyway.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I was just commenting on the OP’s 3-year plan and not really proposing one of my own.

To me it makes sense to extend McCarthy for as long as Dak’s inevitable extension is. Eat the contract if he ends up being fired, Jerry can afford it, but hold both QB and HC equally responsible for what happens going forward.

I do agree with you here. If Dak is going to be extended, then it makes sense to extend Mike to the length of Dak's contract. If there's an out in year 2, then that can also be the time that Mike can be sacked with the most benefit in that 4 year span to Jerry.

 

[CowboyoWales]

How much of my OP did you actually comprehend? When I said extend Dak, it's basically a 2 year deal built into a 4 year deal. It gives us an out after being able to draft his replacement to sit a year. If Dak doesn't take it, then June 1 him and see how Lance does knowing we likely have to draft a QB in 2025 anyway.

The OP is a decent effort at looking at the situation we face. I think your position on Dak is pragmatic and pretty accurate in that it's unlikely he wont be playing on a $59m contract in 2024 especially when we are $22m in CAP deficit).

So there's 3 options: Post-June cut, extend (though it'll need to be longer than your proposed 4 years due to the deferred bonus which'll up the hit), though there is a third where Jones grows a pair .........
.............and says we'll restructure (Dak, DLaw, Zack, Diggs), bring back the gang, HOWEVER Dak in your contract year , we arent spending on RB or on the aging O-Line and the improvement in Offense needs to come from him. No guarantees about the draft, it'll be BPA (O or D).

If fans want an ALL-IN scenario in 2024, unfortunately they'll also have to accept the (long term) Dak extension. However, if Dak works it out (composure) on the $59m contract, there's an ALL-IN scenario in 2025, based on extending: Dak, CeeDee and Micah, using Signing Bonus' to reduce/kick the CAP hit and go for it.

Our whole outlook is determined on the Dak/France/Jones negotiation (always remembering Jerry's an octogenarian).

 

[Nav22]

My wife is from there. Which means they are the 2nd most popular team in our casa. And I have to hear about Burrow. A lot!

They're a ringless poverty franchise and don't you ever let her forget it.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

The OP is a decent effort at looking at the situation we face. I think your position on Dak is pragmatic and pretty accurate in that it's unlikely he wont be playing on a $59m contract in 2024 especially when we are $22m in CAP deficit).

So there's 3 options: Post-June cut, extend (though it'll need to be longer than your proposed 4 years due to the deferred bonus which'll up the hit), though there is a third where Jones grows a pair .........
.............and says we'll restructure (Dak, DLaw, Zack, Diggs), bring back the gang, HOWEVER Dak in your contract year , we arent spending on RB or on the aging O-Line and the improvement in Offense needs to come from him. No guarantees about the draft, it'll be BPA (O or D).

If fans want an ALL-IN scenario in 2024, unfortunately they'll also have to accept the (long term) Dak extension. However, if Dak works it out (composure) on the $59m contract, there's an ALL-IN scenario in 2025, based on extending: Dak, CeeDee and Micah, using Signing Bonus' to reduce/kick the CAP hit and go for it.

Our whole outlook is determined on the Dak/France/Jones negotiation (always remembering Jerry's an octogenarian).

On top of this, I think I went through the schedule projections for 2024. It's not the most favourable schedule for trying to go all in (whatever Jerry means by this). To me, this feels more like a season where maybe we begin to rebuild a bit. Maybe tank this season a bit (since relegation doesn't exist in the US) and use this draft and season and next season's draft to try to fix our biggest issues and perhaps bring in a new QB. I'd love for us to go far if we can, but we have to be able to stop the run and run the ball. If we cannot, then the tanking will take care of itself.

 

[The Fonz]

Any plan does not include removing the Jones as owners will not work

 

[CowboyoWales]

On top of this, I think I went through the schedule projections for 2024. It's not the most favourable schedule for trying to go all in (whatever Jerry means by this). To me, this feels more like a season where maybe we begin to rebuild a bit. Maybe tank this season a bit (since relegation doesn't exist in the US) and use this draft and season and next season's draft to try to fix our biggest issues and perhaps bring in a new QB. I'd love for us to go far if we can, but we have to be able to stop the run and run the ball. If we cannot, then the tanking will take care of itself.

It would be interesting to see what our CAP would stand at if we max restructuredak, DLaw, Zack (I believe we can't extend CeeDee, to get out of tge $17m CAP him, but to pay him a much larger Signing Bonus in 2024 and prorator it into 2025 and beyond.
Interesting to see how that would effect both 2024 and 2025?

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Any plan does not include removing the Jones as owners will not work

I mean, there's nothing I can do about that lol (or any of the other things with the Cowboys fwiw), but this is the best way that I can think of for building a team that even Jerry can't bottle.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

It would be interesting to see what our CAP would stand at if we max restructuredak, DLaw, Zack (I believe we can't extend CeeDee, to get out of tge $17m CAP him, but to pay him a much larger Signing Bonus in 2024 and prorator it into 2025 and beyond.
Interesting to see how that would effect both 2024 and 2025?

Might be worth a go

 

[blueblood70]

I understand this, but Dak's cap hit prevents him from just being a sit and see situation. The way I see it, we either have to June 1 him or extend him. To me, if we go with the latter option, then it makes sense to have an out year built in just in case. That way, it's sort of a 2 year prove it deal in what's shown as a 4 year deal.

I don't agree I'm telling you they can restructure and all the new contracts that come this official season in March and beyond for the 2024 season can be structured in a way to work around Prescott's big cap hit this season it can you do not need to restructure or extend Prescott in order to massage the cap they can restructure at least 4 contracts which they've already discussed in public is gonna happen all these fresh new ones they're gonna be redone to where they're gonna get more money down the road but less money this year and all the new contracts can be structured in the same way they'll stagger it some will be three years some will be five years some will be 7 years with two dead years they will find a way to make 2024 easier to work around under Prescott's current contract....

I'm just saying I don't care if they extend him but I'm saying they don't have to extend him his contract actual money we would owe him this year's not far off from what his deal is going to be in the first place so year one on a new deal or staying on his own deal what if there's a $10 million gap you can work around $10 million in order to see whether you should keep or get rid of Prescott for 2025...

Look this is just my observation I just believe the way they handled it back in 2018 they're going to handle it that way now and I don't think they're going to rush out to give him a new deal I think he's gonna have to prove it just like Mike McCarthy as much as Jerry Jones is supporting both of these guys in public he's all they are he's been ambiguous in saying whether they're going to get extensions or anything long term past this year and kick the can down the road and we may be in salary cap hell for 3 years after but he seems to be ok doing this once..

so again you might be missing the point this is just my observation my feeling of reading between the lines.. hes pretty disgusted and embarrassed form this last loss and believe for now he doesn't see in hurry to extend dak.​

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I don't agree I'm telling you they can restructure and all the new contracts that come this official season in March and beyond for the 2024 season can be structured in a way to work around Prescott's big cap hit this season it can you do not need to restructure or extend Prescott in order to massage the cap they can restructure at least 4 contracts which they've already discussed in public is gonna happen all these fresh new ones they're gonna be redone to where they're gonna get more money down the road but less money this year and all the new contracts can be structured in the same way they'll stagger it some will be three years some will be five years some will be 7 years with two dead years they will find a way to make 2024 easier to work around under Prescott's current contract....

I'm just saying I don't care if they extend him but I'm saying they don't have to extend him his contract actual money we would owe him this year's not far off from what his deal is going to be in the first place so year one on a new deal or staying on his own deal what if there's a $10 million gap you can work around $10 million in order to see whether you should keep or get rid of Prescott for 2025...

Look this is just my observation I just believe the way they handled it back in 2018 they're going to handle it that way now and I don't think they're going to rush out to give him a new deal I think he's gonna have to prove it just like Mike McCarthy as much as Jerry Jones is supporting both of these guys in public he's all they are he's been ambiguous in saying whether they're going to get extensions or anything long term past this year and kick the can down the road and we may be in salary cap hell for 3 years after but he seems to be ok doing this once..

so again you might be missing the point this is just my observation my feeling of reading between the lines.. hes pretty disgusted and embarrassed form this last loss and believe for now he doesn't see in hurry to extend dak.​

Oh, I see, and I did forget about restructuring his deal. I do understand your point now. I get that they do not have to extend him this offseason. Or at least, maybe it's not the critical decision that I'm thinking of it as this offseason. On top of this, I'm not opposed to restructuring the deal and having this be a prove it year in that way.

I do however still maintain a few concerns. The first one is this. Let's suppose he plays better next season and we somehow get to the NFCC. Now, instead of only paying $60 mil a year (not necessarily the guarantees, just the base), you're likely looking at a deal around $65-70 by waiting. To me, this would also be a concern. So, the risk to playing the way you're suggesting is that, if he plays to a level where we have to extend him (not likely, but just a hypothetical to point out), then the drawback is that we not only have to extend him at a more expensive rate, but we all have to account for the dead money from the restructure. This is the area that I have concern. On top of this, there are QBs outside of our team that are likely to obtain an extension soon. Here's a link with this from Bleacher Report: https://www.___GET_REAL_URL___/s/sy...e-nfls-qb-carousel-in-2024-offseason.amp.html

Here are a few QBs entering FA or likely needing an extension:

Kirk Cousins
Baker Mayfield
Jordan Love (he's in no danger of entering FA this offseason, however, his contract is running to a point where they will undoubtedly want to make a move with him. I think he probably gets an extension this offseason)
Justin Fields (if he gets traded)
Joe Flacco

There are likely going to be others needing deals and such. I think these, based on the article, make the most sense as far as QBs needing deals this offseason. As we saw this year with QB injuries, I think you'll find that there will be several QBs that get higher contracts than normal just because of how valuable the position has become as of this past season. So, just for this offseason, Jerry is also competing with these other deals to try to keep Dak (IF he's going to do so) and extend him this offseason. If he kicks the can to next season with a restructure this offseason and Dak plays even better next season, then he's likely looking at about $65 mil as I think some of these QBs (particularly Mayfield) are going to push that number up this offseason. Plus, there will be more QBs needing deals next offseason (particularly Love if he's extended next year instead). So, this is the one big drawback to restructuring Dak this year. This is why I'm more on the side of get a deal done now, if he's going to extend him, but also have an out for two years from now just in case things dont work. I should also add that Jerry should add one more year to Mike's deal so that it's basically a prove it year for the next two years IF he does this sort of deal with Dak. This keeps them both on the same year with each other on contracts. The goal being for the next coach, should Dak and Mike leave in 2026, to be able to choose his QB. If Jerry thinks he's seen enough from Dak, then a June 1 might be the better option.

I can see where restructuring has it's benefit. It kicks the decision to next year. I understand why it's an enticing option. That said, given the schedule this season, I do think restructuring might be good as I have strong reservations about any success we might have this season.

 

[rnr_honeybadger]

Unless you can give yourself an out during the contract where you can move on from him within the first two years. This allows you to sign the key players, get a replacement ready, and move on from Dak with that out.

Yea your out is making him a June 1st cut. Suck it up for a single year. This as opposed to extending him for 3 more wasted years.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Yea your out is making him a June 1st cut. Suck it up for a single year. This as opposed to extending him for 3 more wasted years.

I'm fine with this option too.

 

[blueblood70]

Oh, I see, and I did forget about restructuring his deal. I do understand your point now. I get that they do not have to extend him this offseason. Or at least, maybe it's not the critical decision that I'm thinking of it as this offseason. On top of this, I'm not opposed to restructuring the deal and having this be a prove it year in that way.

I do however still maintain a few concerns. The first one is this. Let's suppose he plays better next season and we somehow get to the NFCC. Now, instead of only paying $60 mil a year (not necessarily the guarantees, just the base), you're likely looking at a deal around $65-70 by waiting. To me, this would also be a concern. So, the risk to playing the way you're suggesting is that, if he plays to a level where we have to extend him (not likely, but just a hypothetical to point out), then the drawback is that we not only have to extend him at a more expensive rate, but we all have to account for the dead money from the restructure. This is the area that I have concern. On top of this, there are QBs outside of our team that are likely to obtain an extension soon. Here's a link with this from Bleacher Report: https://www.___GET_REAL_URL___/s/sy...e-nfls-qb-carousel-in-2024-offseason.amp.html

Here are a few QBs entering FA or likely needing an extension:

Kirk Cousins
Baker Mayfield
Jordan Love (he's in no danger of entering FA this offseason, however, his contract is running to a point where they will undoubtedly want to make a move with him. I think he probably gets an extension this offseason)
Justin Fields (if he gets traded)
Joe Flacco

There are likely going to be others needing deals and such. I think these, based on the article, make the most sense as far as QBs needing deals this offseason. As we saw this year with QB injuries, I think you'll find that there will be several QBs that get higher contracts than normal just because of how valuable the position has become as of this past season. So, just for this offseason, Jerry is also competing with these other deals to try to keep Dak (IF he's going to do so) and extend him this offseason. If he kicks the can to next season with a restructure this offseason and Dak plays even better next season, then he's likely looking at about $65 mil as I think some of these QBs (particularly Mayfield) are going to push that number up this offseason. Plus, there will be more QBs needing deals next offseason (particularly Love if he's extended next year instead). So, this is the one big drawback to restructuring Dak this year. This is why I'm more on the side of get a deal done now, if he's going to extend him, but also have an out for two years from now just in case things dont work. I should also add that Jerry should add one more year to Mike's deal so that it's basically a prove it year for the next two years IF he does this sort of deal with Dak. This keeps them both on the same year with each other on contracts. The goal being for the next coach, should Dak and Mike leave in 2026, to be able to choose his QB. If Jerry thinks he's seen enough from Dak, then a June 1 might be the better option.

I can see where restructuring has it's benefit. It kicks the decision to next year. I understand why it's an enticing option. That said, given the schedule this season, I do think restructuring might be good as I have strong reservations about any success we might have this season.

Well we're just all spitballing here but none of those dudes on that list are gonna push the market to 65 or 70... So I believe Prescott's deal is the one that's gonna set the new market regardless of what it is but there's not gonna be one pushing his number if they wait till 2025 but that's my opinion I'm not a Capologist and I don't know anything about what they're planning...

I just think fans are worried about him getting a big extension now and we still never get anywhere and I don't think they're under the gun to give him an extension or redo his deal this year I think they could roll with it...

maybe just maybe jerryd that frustrated and upset over that last game that he leaves both of them on that one year deal.... Make them both prove it and then if necessary we start over in 2025 completely new quarterback new coaching staff not necessarily having to blow it all up but it could be a win win for everyone...

 

[Captain-Crash]

Jerry's never ending plan beats the crap out of this one.