As we watch what is going to unfold with the Dak Prescott contract negotiations I can’t stop thinking about how much cap the marquee players take up. The Cowboys are committing roughly 25% of their salary cap to three players (Zeke Elliott, Amari Cooper and Dak Prescott). In 2021 just Cooper and Elliott will account for 17% without having a $38M/year QB contract on the books.
Clearly the hope on all NFL teams is that you draft a franchise QB and you build players around him while still under his rookie deal. That really gives the Bengals a five year window with Joe Burrow. The Bengals could be in a similar situation in 2025 when they will need to decide on Burrow, Higgins and Mixon (assuming he re-signs).
The Cowboys went the reverse that most teams would go and signed a RB then WR and finally a QB. They signed Andy Dalton as a hedge and probably a negotiation tool. I think this is turning into a “what not to do” guide for the Bengals. Who knows what will happen in 2025 or even if Burrow and Higgins are going to be superstars like Prescott and Cooper. If they are though maybe we keep an eye on how this plays out. How will the Cowboys surround this talented core of three with enough talent over the next five years?
It seems crazy to worry about five years from now when two of our three guys have not played a snap of NFL football but I think we are all assuming/hoping/praying that Burrow and Higgins are hits and that we re-sign Mixon to a long-term deal. I could see the Bengals extending Burrow and Higgins and letting a 27 year old Mixon find a third contract elsewhere. Keep an eye on it though Bengals fans, history has a funny way of repeating itself!
