The Dallas Cowboys got major salary cap relief by restructuring the contract of QB Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb this offseason, but much of that money may end up earmarked to keep players the team already has rather than to add the talent many believe the franchise must find to compete at the top of the division and the conference.

Edge rusher Micah Parsons is young enough and talented enough and proven enough to potentially reset the non-QB market, which Cincinnati Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase just elevated to $40.25 million annually on a historic four-year, $161 million contract.

But ESPN’s Todd Archer pointed out on Sunday, March 23, that there are major contributors across the Cowboys roster who are coming up for new contracts and will demand serious attention — and potentially very difficult decisions — from the front office.

“First-rounder Tyler Smith, a Pro Bowl guard, has his fifth-year option for 2026 at a cost of $21.27 million,” Archer wrote. “Smith went to North Crowley High School in Fort Worth. This is home. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2023 and has been in the past two Pro Bowls. Despite having played three seasons, he turns only 24 next month. He is the perfect cornerstone to build the offensive line around, now that Zack Martin has retired.”

Archer also mentioned tight end Jake Ferguson and cornerback DaRon Bland as players with whom Dallas must consider getting deals done, as each man enters the final season of his rookie deal in 2025.

“In a perfect world, the Cowboys would sign all four to extensions before the season starts, although recent history says that won’t happen,” Archer continued. “Getting at least one or two of them signed would be a good start.”