NFL analyst Mike Greenberg has sharply criticized Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, arguing that his financial management of the team is seriously flawed. Greenberg claims Jones has “severely mismanaged” the Cowboys’ salary cap by locking in over $386 million in contracts, including significant deals for stars like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and likely Micah Parsons. According to Greenberg, this has put the Cowboys in a tough financial bind, limiting their flexibility to strengthen weaker parts of the roster.
In a bold suggestion, Greenberg even floated the idea of trading Micah Parsons, one of the NFL’s top edge rushers and a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense. Though still on a rookie contract with a modest cap hit of $5.4 million for 2024, Parsons will enter free agency in 2026. When that time comes, the Cowboys may face financial strain from his likely lucrative extension, which could further hamper their ability to maneuver the salary cap.
Greenberg didn’t hold back on ESPN’s Get Up, stating that while Jones is a “brilliant financial genius” in most areas, he’s “completely wrong” on managing a salary cap. Pointing to Prescott’s $240 million deal and Lamb’s $136 million contract, Greenberg emphasized that these huge commitments leave little room to rebuild crucial parts of the team.
Looking at the Cowboys’ cap space for upcoming years, the team currently has around $20.8 million available in 2024, under a cap limit of $259.9 million. By 2025, projections suggest a slight increase to $24 million, which could give Jones a bit more freedom for roster adjustments.
However, the real relief comes in 2026, when the Cowboys’ cap space is expected to jump to $96.6 million, with a forecasted $156 million available in 2027. These figures suggest potential breathing room to address roster needs more strategically in the coming years.
Despite the Cowboys’ current tight cap situation, Greenberg sees a chance for the team to reshape its future with these future cap increases. If Jones and the Cowboys’ management can execute a well-thought-out plan, they may finally put themselves in a position to pursue a Super Bowl, backed by a well-balanced roster.
For now, however, Greenberg’s criticism highlights the immediate challenges that Jones’ aggressive spending has created, leaving the Cowboys with limited flexibility to address weaknesses and elevate their performance on the field.
