Dallas City News

It’s no secret that the Dallas Cowboys find themselves in a difficult position when it comes to paying their star players. QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb are both hoping for contract extensions in the near future, with superstar Micah Parsons expecting one in the future as well. Jerry Jones and the team’s front office has faced scrutiny over the course of the offseason due to their lack of activity in free agency, with the team saving money for their star players. NFL Hall of Fame player Charles Haley chimed in on Up & Adams, giving his assessment on Jones.

“He kept back-loading everything,” Haley said of Jones. “So now, he’s screwed. … His bill came due, and he doesn’t have the money to be able to (pay everyone). And so he’s going to have to find another way around the salary cap. … He gambled a long time, and now time is up.”

While what Haley said is true, his solution to the problem is certainly interesting, even if it is said as more of a challenge to Jerry to either pay Dak or make a different move.

“Trade Dak, just put him up for the trade. Guess what? Every team in the league would be after him. Every team in the league. Dak is a winner. Dak is a great person, a great leader. I know him. I go up there all the time.”

If the Cowboys were to make Prescott available for trade, it would start a bidding war among several teams that believe they are one quarterback away from contending. An example would be the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a suffocating defense and talented players around the quarterback position on offense.

However, Prescott has a no-trade clause currently in his contract. So the Cowboys would have to get his approval if they did decide to move him. This would likely take Prescott being traded to a perfect situation for him, as well as receiving a big contract extension from the team acquiring him. But it seems pretty clear Haley thinks they should keep Prescott.

Prescott led the NFL in passing touchdowns last season and statistically has proven himself to be a top 10 quarterback in the league. However, if Jones feels like he isn’t comfortable paying Prescott the price tag he will likely command, it would make sense to trade him for future assets. The worst case scenario for the team would be letting Prescott play out the year without an extension, and seeing him sign with another team in free agency next offseason.