The Cowboys have found ways to manage their salary cap every year, but the same method keeps coming back. Each fix helps in the short term, yet the pressure builds for the next season. Now, a former franchise star has pointed out why this cycle may not hold up much longer, especially with Dak Prescott in play.

Dallas has been restructuring contracts regularly to stay under the cap each year. But it always makes things difficult to manage in the next year. And since they're giving Prescott $60 million to be happy, former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman claimed it will lead to more money problems within the team.

“I’m just saying that when you’re paying Dak at the top of the market, you’re paying CeeDee Lamb near the top of the market and George Pickens with the franchise tag… there’s going to be some holes," Aikman told Fox 4.

Prescott is earning $60 million per year, making him the highest-paid player. The team also reworked deals for Lamb and Tyler Smith, pushing around $66 million into future seasons just to stay cap compliant.

Dallas has done similar restructures with Prescott in 2023, Zack Martin in 2024, and Lamb in 2025. Each year, the same approach creates short-term space but adds long-term pressure.

That is where the problem starts to show. While the offense is loaded with big contracts, other parts of the roster risk being left behind.

What About the Struggling Defense?

Dallas has more questions on defense than on offense, as they go about building their 2026 roster. Prescott lived up to his highly-valued contract by finishing among the top five quarterbacks in the league. But the defense? It had one of the worst showings in history.

Team owner Jerry Jones had claimed that Dallas was going to "bust the budget" when it came to spending in the offseason. And they have, spending $91.1 million in deals up until March. But Jones is planning ahead.

"We're not done," he said of the team's spending. "We got some more to do."

Defensively, they are yet to add a top player. The Cowboys have long been linked in getting Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby, but it hasn't worked out yet for the team. Dallas needs urgent repairs at EDGE, linebacker, and cornerback. Linebacker is also the only spot Dallas hasn't answered in free agency yet. Maybe, the Cowboys are looking to go big in the upcoming draft.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at the Dallas Cowboys Community!

Written by

Anjali Thakur

Edited by

Afreen Kabir