“Future Contracts in Dallas: Which Cowboys Stars Are Next in Line for Big Deals?”
The Dallas Cowboys have recently handed out several large contracts, making Dak Prescott the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL and CeeDee Lamb one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in league history. Naturally, the question arises: Who will be next?
Several key players on the Cowboys’ roster have upcoming contract situations worth watching over the next year. One obvious candidate is star pass rusher Micah Parsons, but he won’t be included here since his importance is well established.
So, who else might be next in line for a significant extension in Dallas?
DT Osa Odighizuwa While much of the focus is understandably on Micah Parsons, another key contributor on the Cowboys’ defensive line is interior lineman Osa Odighizuwa, a third-round pick from the 2021 NFL Draft out of UCLA.
Odighizuwa has become a standout for the Cowboys, with his performance in the season opener against the Cleveland Browns—three tackles and a QB hit—highlighting his growth. Since entering the league, he’s tallied 9.0 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, and 36 QB hits, showcasing both his talent and durability. With a career-high 10 QB knockdowns in 2023, Odighizuwa is solidifying his role as a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense, and as the 2024 season unfolds, he’s likely to further establish himself as a must-keep player for the organization.
DeMarcus Lawrence has long been a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense. Despite his advancing age, he’s still a player Dallas will likely want to keep beyond this season.
No one wants a repeat of the DeMarcus Ware situation in the season opener against the Cleveland Browns, Lawrence was a dominant force, recording four QB hits, two sacks, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and seven pressures. If he maintains even a portion of that production throughout the season, the Cowboys will likely feel compelled to secure him with a new deal. With Lawrence set to enter free agency after this season, it would make sense for the team to address his contract sooner rather than letting it drag into the offseason.
LG Tyler Smith Although the Cowboys have some time to work on a new deal for Tyler Smith, a first-round pick in 2022, it might be wise to act sooner rather than later.
The market for interior offensive linemen is heating up, as NFL teams are facing more dynamic defenders on the interior. Since Smith has established himself as one of the top left guards in the league, the Cowboys might want to lock him in at the current market rate before prices escalate further.
Currently, top interior linemen are earning over $20 million per year, which is significant. However, with the Cowboys benefiting from having their left tackle on a rookie contract, they have the flexibility to make that kind of investmentin Smith.