Jerry Jones has made his big calls, but the Cowboys still have plenty to prove. With the season heading into its final stretch, some expensive decisions could come back to haunt Dallas, while others might just save their season.
The Dallas Cowboys have spent plenty of money putting this roster together, and Jerry Jones has never been shy about paying players he believes can win.
But with the trade deadline behind us and Dallas still trying to get its season going, it’s fair to ask whether all that spending has actually made the Cowboys a better football team.
The talent is there, and the offense has shown what it can do. Now comes the harder part: turning those expensive contracts into wins.
The Cowboys Have Already Spent Big
Dallas has committed serious money to its offensive stars, starting with Dak Prescott’s four-year, $240 million extension. CeeDee Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million deal, giving the Cowboys one of the NFL’s most expensive quarterback-receiver combinations.
The spending continued into 2026. George Pickens received the franchise tag worth $27.298 million, while running back Javonte Williams signed a three-year, $24 million agreement with $16 million guaranteed. Kicker Brandon Aubrey also secured a four-year, $28 million contract, including $20 million guaranteed.
Those figures are part of a much larger collection of 2026 NFL signings and contract agreements across the league.
Dallas clearly believes its established players can deliver. Prescott has the contract of a franchise quarterback, and Lamb is being paid to perform like an elite receiver. With Pickens alongside him, the Cowboys have given their passing game every opportunity to succeed.
Some Contracts Are Already Paying Off
Javonte Williams has given Dallas plenty of reasons to be pleased with his new deal. Through nine games, he’s rushed for 629 yards and 9 touchdowns, including 155 yards against Philadelphia on October 26.
Lamb has been equally productive, recording 70 catches for 904 yards and 7 touchdowns. Prescott has thrown for 2,381 yards and 16 scores.
There’s a strong argument that Williams belongs among the best value contracts on the Cowboys roster.
The offense is averaging 27.3 points per game, sixth in the NFL. Those numbers give Dallas a genuine chance whenever its defense can keep opponents within reach.
Contract Decisions Reach Beyond the Cowboys
NFL contracts also affect fantasy football predictions because a player’s opportunities can change when teams make new signings or trades. A quarterback gaining another reliable receiver has more passing options, while a running back joining a crowded backfield may have fewer carries available.
That becomes particularly interesting when you’re making predictions about individual player performances rather than simply picking the winner of a game.
Underdog Fantasy’s Pick’em contests turn those performances into predictions based on player statistics. The platform also has new-customer promotions. Covers provides information about the bonus, including the qualifying requirements and promotional terms.
The Cowboys provide plenty of interesting player projections. Lamb’s receiving numbers make him worth watching each week, while Williams’ rushing production gives you another measure of Dallas’ offensive performance.
Pickens and Porter Still Have Unfinished Business
Pickens is playing under his franchise tag, and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. arrived from Pittsburgh without signing an extension. Both could become free agents after the season.
Dallas faces an awkward decision because it cannot use the franchise tag on both players in 2027. Keeping them would require negotiations, and the Cowboys already have substantial money committed elsewhere.
The salary-cap options for signing Pickens and Porter could determine whether both remain in Dallas.
Their immediate priority, however, is helping the Cowboys win enough games to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Trade Deadline Leaves Dallas With What It Has
The November 10 trade deadline passed without another Cowboys deal, leaving Dallas at 4–5 with eight games remaining.
That doesn’t mean Jerry Jones has been sitting around doing nothing. Dallas previously acquired defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and cornerback Joey Porter Jr., while also bringing in Rashan Gary and offensive tackle Broderick Jones.
Those moves have come at a price. The Cowboys now have only four selections remaining in the 2027 NFL Draft, with their trade deadline decisions leaving little room for another major roster change this season.
The defense remains the biggest concern. Dallas has allowed 26.2 points per game, ranking 25th in the NFL, despite an offense scoring 27.3.
That’s a frustrating combination when you’ve already paid Prescott and Lamb to produce points. The Cowboys have enough offensive talent to beat good teams, but they cannot expect their quarterback to rescue every game.
The defensive additions need to make an immediate difference, especially against opponents capable of matching Dallas’ scoring output.
Eight Games to Justify the Investment
San Francisco is next, followed by Tennessee and a Thanksgiving meeting with Philadelphia. Dallas also has divisional games remaining against the Giants and Washington, so there’s still an opportunity to improve its position in the NFC East.
The Cowboys have enough talent to make a playoff push, but their 4–5 record leaves little room for mistakes. Jerry Jones has already made his financial commitments, and the trade deadline has closed.
Now the players have to justify those decisions on the field.
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