Dallas Cowboys Salary Cap Status Going Into the 2025 Season
As the NFL approaches the 2025 season, the Dallas Cowboys are in a unique financial position. With multiple key players locked into long-term contracts, several high-profile free agents to address, and the looming salary cap challenges, the Cowboys’ financial strategy will be critical in shaping the team’s future. The NFL salary cap for 2025 is expected to be around $240 million, though this figure can fluctuate based on revenue and collective bargaining agreements.
To understand the Cowboys’ financial landscape going into 2025, we’ll break down their key agreements, cap hits, and impending free agents that could influence their strategy.
1. Current Agreements and Salary Cap Outlook
Key Contracts and Cap Hits
The Dallas Cowboys have a number of marquee players who are under contract for 2025, with several others potentially in contract negotiations or set to hit free agency. As of 2024, the Cowboys have made a mix of long-term commitments and short-term deals, which could impact their cap situation.
- Dak Prescott (QB)
- Contract Status: Signed through 2026
- Cap Hit in 2025: $49.5 million
- Prescott’s cap hit in 2025 is among the highest in the league, as part of the five-year, $160 million extension signed in 2021. The Cowboys will likely explore reworking his contract, restructuring, or extending him further to free up cap space.
- Micah Parsons (OLB)
- Contract Status: Signed through 2024 (Fifth-Year Option for 2025)
- Cap Hit in 2025: Expected around $12.5 million (based on the fifth-year option)
- Parsons will likely be looking for a massive extension ahead of the 2025 season, considering his performance as one of the league’s premier pass rushers. The Cowboys will have to prioritize him as he enters the final year of his rookie deal, and his 2025 cap hit will be significant. A new deal could lower his cap hit in 2025 but increase the long-term commitment.
- CeeDee Lamb (WR)
- Contract Status: Signed through 2024 (Fifth-Year Option for 2025)
- Cap Hit in 2025: Expected to be around $6.5 million
- Lamb, one of the league’s rising stars at receiver, will be another priority for a contract extension before 2025. His cap hit for 2025 is relatively affordable, but a new deal could push his cap number higher.
- Trevor Lawrence (RB)
- Contract Status: Signed through 2025
- Cap Hit in 2025: $11 million
- With a solid combination of youth and skill, Lawrence remains one of the top paid players on the Cowboys’ roster. His contract value reflects his importance to the team, but the Cowboys have to ensure they have enough cap space to make room for roster improvements elsewhere.
- Tyron Smith (OT)
- Contract Status: Signed through 2025
- Cap Hit in 2025: $12 million
- After a career marked by injuries and elite play, Tyron Smith is set to count significant money toward the cap, and there’s potential for restructuring his contract in the offseason.
Dead Money and Roster Implications
The Cowboys also have several players with significant dead money in 2025. Dead money refers to the salary cap charge for players no longer on the roster, typically due to releases or retirement. These cap hits can limit the Cowboys’ flexibility in free agency and roster construction.
2. Free Agent Class of 2025
As the Cowboys approach the 2025 offseason, they have several high-profile free agents that will shape their future cap situation. Some of these players may get extended before hitting free agency, while others could explore other opportunities. Below are key players whose contracts expire after the 2024 season.
Key Unrestricted Free Agents (2025)
- Tony Pollard (RB)
- Contract Status: Free agent in 2025
- 2025 Cap Impact: Dependent on new contract
- Pollard will be one of the top free-agent running backs heading into 2025. The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on him for the 2024 season, but his long-term future with the team remains uncertain. A new deal could see Pollard remain a cornerstone of the offense, but at what cost?
- Donovan Wilson (S)
- Contract Status: Free agent in 2025
- 2025 Cap Impact: Dependent on new contract
- Wilson has become a key player in the Cowboys’ secondary, and while they may prioritize him, his market value could be high, especially with the increasing importance of strong safety play in the NFL. The Cowboys will need to balance their interest in retaining him with other roster needs.
- Leighton Vander Esch (ILB)
- Contract Status: Free agent in 2025
- 2025 Cap Impact: Dependent on new contract
- Vander Esch has had an injury-prone career but is a leader on defense when healthy. His future with the Cowboys will depend on both his health in 2024 and how the team views him as part of the long-term plan for the linebacker group. Given his injury history, the Cowboys could look to bring him back on a one-year or incentive-laden deal.
- Brandin Cooks (WR)
- Contract Status: Free agent in 2025
- 2025 Cap Impact: Dependent on new contract
- Cooks could be a key contributor in 2024, but his age and contract structure suggest that the Cowboys may explore moving on from him in 2025, depending on his performance. He could be a potential cap casualty or, if he excels, a player the Cowboys look to extend.
Key Restricted Free Agents (2025)
- Terrance Steele (OT)
- Contract Status: Free agent in 2025 (RFA)
- Steele will likely be tendered a restricted free-agent offer to keep him under the Cowboys’ control. As an emerging young tackle, his cap hit will likely remain relatively affordable, but the Cowboys will have to monitor his development and market value closely.
3. Salary Cap Flexibility and Moves
Given the Cowboys’ current cap situation, there are several paths the team could take to free up space heading into 2025. They could restructure existing contracts, extend current players, or make difficult roster cuts. Here are some strategies the Cowboys might employ:
Contract Restructures
The Cowboys have a few players with large cap hits that could be restructured to create space:
- Dak Prescott: As mentioned, Prescott’s $49.5 million cap hit in 2025 could be restructured. The Cowboys might convert a significant portion of his salary into a signing bonus, spreading the cap hit over future years and freeing up immediate cap space. However, this would increase Prescott’s future cap hits and further complicate the team’s long-term cap flexibility.
- Tyron Smith: Smith’s $12 million cap hit could also be restructured, especially if he’s still an effective player. A restructuring would push more of his cap hit into future years but would give the team immediate financial relief.
Extensions for Key Players
- Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb: Both players are likely candidates for contract extensions before or after the 2025 season. While extensions will increase the overall value of their contracts, they can also be structured in a way that lowers their immediate cap hits and helps with flexibility in the short term.
Free-Agent and Trade Moves
- The Cowboys will likely explore the trade market to move veteran players with large contracts or underperforming assets to create additional cap space. Given the team’s championship aspirations, any cap space created may be directed toward bolstering areas like the defensive line or receiving corps through free-agent signings.
4. Long-Term Salary Cap Considerations
The Cowboys have several significant contracts on the horizon, and their ability to maintain cap flexibility will determine how they build the roster in the years to come. The 2025 offseason will be an important period in this process, as the Cowboys must balance their future commitments with the need to stay competitive in the present.
Key challenges include:
- Ensuring that high-priority extensions (like those for Parsons and Lamb) are negotiated favorably.
- Managing the aging contracts of veterans like Smith and Prescott.
- Retaining key free agents like Pollard, Vander Esch, and Wilson without overcommitting resources to players who might not be in the long-term plans.
In conclusion, while the Dallas Cowboys enter the 2025 season with a strong roster and a few key pieces locked up, their salary cap situation requires careful planning. They’ll need to prioritize extensions, restructure contracts, and potentially make tough decisions to create the flexibility necessary to sustain long-term success. With a mix of high-profile talent, aging veterans, and young stars, the Cowboys’ financial management will be critical in their quest for another Super Bowl title.
