The Dallas Cowboys were buried at the bottom of the salary cap standings a couple of weeks ago, but they have managed to turn the tables on, at least temporarily. However, it comes at a massive cost. After the contract revision of some top players, Jerry Jones suddenly faces a $64 million guaranteed money liability next season.

“3 #Cowboys players had contract triggers vest this weekend, ” wrote Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti on X. “Dak Prescott’s $45M salary for 2027 is now guaranteed. Tyler Smith’s $12M of 2027 salary is now guaranteed.$7M of CeeDee Lamb’s 2027 salary is now guaranteed.”

The Cowboys solidified their core with guaranteed contracts for key offensive players. However, in total, it comes out to $64 million, a massive contract update hit. Quarterback Dak Prescott currently has the most expensive contract worth $240 million for 4 years, which is $60 million a year. After a cap hit of over $50 million in the 2025 season, he was projected to earn much more in 2026, but it has been restructured.

Following the end of the next season, he will be paid over $43 million. However, next season, his cap hit is projected to be $76 million with a $45 million guaranteed.

The same goes for the guard Tyler Smith, whose current contract valuation is $96 million for 4 years. After his recent contract restructure, he is expected to make $10.3 million in the 2026 campaign, but it will see a significant increase next year when his cap hit will be approximately $19.5 million, including a guaranteed money of $12 million.

The wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has an enormous $136 million deal for 4 years, but this year his cap number will be $19.8 million. Next season, his cap hit is likely to be over $46 million, including guaranteed money of over $7 million due to the restructure this season.

The $64 million in guaranteed money for these three players means the Cowboys are obliged to pay even if they are cut or get hurt in the 2027 season. Aside from the internal contract adjustment, the franchise has already added the edge rusher, Rashan Gary, from free agency to bolster the struggling defense.

Cowboys land Rashan Gary on two-year deal after pay cut

Jerry Jones was initially interested in Maxx Crosby, but the deal fell through. So, the five-time Super Bowl champions went for the former Green Bay Packers defensive tackle, Rashan Gary, dropping his compensation to $16 million each of the next two seasons. In his two-year deal, he will be compensated $32 million.

After the dismal show of the Cowboys’ defense last season, the 28-year-old is certainly a big boost, having seven years of NFL experience. A first-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft, he spent his entire league career with the Packers before the switch to the Cowboys.

Gary is a 2024 Pro Bowler. Starting 15 games last season, he had 7.5 sacks and 45 combined tackles in the 2025 campaign, suggesting how impactful he could be to the Cowboys’ defense. If Jerry Jones succeeds in securing another elite edge rusher to partner with him, the defensive unit could experience a strong resurgence in production, which would maximize its playoff chances.