The 2025 NFL offseason has been a whirlwind across the NFC East, but no team has generated more intrigue, speculation, and heated debate than the Dallas Cowboys. Known for being “America’s Team,” the Cowboys once again enter the new league year with high expectations, roster uncertainty, and franchise-altering decisions looming over them. After another playoff disappointment in January 2025, the Cowboys find themselves at a critical crossroads. Five major offseason plotlines have emerged, each centered on how Dallas navigates a volatile NFC East and an increasingly impatient fanbase.
Let’s dive into the five most compelling 2025 NFC East offseason plotlines with the Cowboys at the center of the action.
1. Dak Prescott’s Future: Extension, Franchise Tag, or Farewell?
Perhaps no storyline in the NFC East looms larger than the one involving quarterback Dak Prescott’s future. Heading into the final year of his deal, Prescott’s contract situation has become the single biggest domino yet to fall for Dallas this offseason. With a cap hit north of $59 million in 2025 and no long-term extension agreed upon as of June, the Cowboys are running out of time to make a move.
Dak has had a polarizing career—spectacular regular seasons, clutch performances sprinkled in, but playoff underachievement haunts his resume. After a turnover-heavy Wild Card loss to the Packers in January, fans and critics alike questioned if Prescott is the quarterback who can finally get the Cowboys over the hump.
Three paths are on the table:
- Extension: Committing to Prescott long-term with a massive contract that could exceed $50 million annually. This path would stabilize the position but limit future cap flexibility.
- Franchise Tag (again): Kicking the can down the road—an option that may further strain relations with Prescott and his agent.
- Let Him Walk: A bold, controversial move that would open the door to a full quarterback reset via the 2026 draft or a splash free agent signing.
How Jerry Jones and Mike McCarthy handle this decision will shape the Cowboys for years to come—and shake the NFC East’s quarterback hierarchy to its core.
2. CeeDee Lamb Contract Watch: Will Dallas Pay Top Dollar?
While Dak’s status steals headlines, another superstar awaits his financial due: wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Arguably the best offensive player on the roster, Lamb is coming off a career year with over 1,600 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns. He’s a walking mismatch—too fast for linebackers, too savvy for most corners—and he’s still just 26 years old.
With Justin Jefferson resetting the receiver market with a record-breaking deal in Minnesota, Lamb’s next contract is expected to exceed $32 million per year. The Cowboys exercised Lamb’s fifth-year option for 2025, but they know the longer they wait, the more expensive it gets.
The team’s cap situation—tight due to Prescott’s deal, Michael Gallup’s dead money, and the desire to retain Micah Parsons down the road—complicates matters. But if Dallas fumbles the ball here and lets Lamb test free agency in 2026, it could open the door for NFC East rivals like the Eagles or Giants to pounce.
Expect negotiations to heat up during training camp. The Cowboys need to lock in their WR1 before contract drama bleeds into the season.
3. Micah Parsons’ Evolving Role—and Future Paycheck
Micah Parsons has been nothing short of sensational since his rookie season in 2021. A generational defensive talent, Parsons has redefined what it means to be a pass-rushing linebacker in the modern NFL. Whether coming off the edge, dropping into coverage, or even lining up at middle linebacker, Parsons is a disruptive force and the soul of Dan Quinn’s (and now Mike Zimmer’s) defense.
But here’s the kicker: Parsons is eligible for an extension, and he knows his worth. With Nick Bosa and T.J. Watt commanding $30+ million annually, Parsons is aiming to become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. That means Dallas must brace for a $35–$40 million-per-year ask.
There’s also the matter of his role. The departure of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn to the Seahawks forced a shift in defensive philosophy. Mike Zimmer, known for more traditional looks, has reportedly encouraged Parsons to play a more hybrid role rather than solely as an edge rusher. Will that affect his stats—and by extension—his contract value?
As teams like the Eagles reload their offensive lines and the Commanders add new QB J.J. McCarthy, the Cowboys must build around Parsons wisely. His contract and on-field role are linchpins in the franchise’s short- and long-term future.
4. Offensive Line Overhaul: Protecting the Quarterback at All Costs
The Cowboys have long prided themselves on elite offensive line play, dating back to the days of Larry Allen and continuing through the Tyron Smith-Zack Martin era. But change is inevitable, and in 2025, it has arrived in force.
Tyron Smith, one of the best left tackles of his generation, departed in free agency for the New York Jets. Zack Martin, a future Hall of Famer, has hinted that this season could be his last. Suddenly, the once-dominant Cowboys O-line faces a youth movement with huge question marks.
To mitigate the blow, Dallas drafted Kansas State tackle Cooper Beebe and signed veteran guard Dalton Risner, but there’s little margin for error. In the NFC East, where teams like the Eagles and Commanders boast strong defensive fronts, the importance of winning the trenches can’t be overstated.
Whether it’s Dak, Trey Lance, or a 2026 rookie under center, the Cowboys must protect their quarterback—especially if they hope to contend in a stacked NFC. Monitoring this unit’s chemistry and development throughout OTAs and preseason is crucial.
5. Mike McCarthy on the Hot Seat: Super Bowl or Bust
Lastly, no plotline may be more precarious than Mike McCarthy’s job security. Despite posting strong regular-season records, McCarthy’s postseason failures have fans clamoring for a change. After three straight playoff exits—two at home—the tolerance for “good enough” has evaporated.
Cowboys ownership knows it too. While Jerry Jones publicly backed McCarthy after January’s loss, insiders suggest that another early exit could mean a pink slip. The rumors are already swirling—Ben Johnson, Dan Quinn returning someday, or even a bold play for Jim Harbaugh in 2026.
What’s more, McCarthy has taken over full-time play-calling duties again after the departure of Brian Schottenheimer. This decision will be under the microscope, particularly if the offense stagnates or continues to falter in high-leverage situations.
With the Giants improving under Brian Daboll, the Eagles perpetually in win-now mode under Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni, and Washington rebuilding with an exciting young core, the Cowboys must win now—or risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving NFC East.
