The Dallas Cowboys are about to embark on a crucial season that may or may not decide the team’s near destiny. While he waits for a new deal, All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb did not attend mandatory minicamp or OTAs. Even while it’s quite likely that the Cowboys want to sign him long-term, one has to worry how his relationship with the team will be impacted by the upcoming contract negotiations.
Dak Prescott, the starting quarterback, is also eligible for a contract extension. Once more, the Cowboys undoubtedly want to sign the three-time Pro Bowler to a long-term contract, but the quarterback position is quite competitive at the moment. Prescott is expected to want even more money, maybe breaking the record of becoming the first player to make more than $60 million annually, given that the Jacksonville Jaguars just awarded Trevor Lawrence $55 million a season.
In addition, head coach Mike McCarthy’s future with the Cowboys is seriously under doubt. Dallas is unsure if he is the best player moving ahead after a 1-3 record in the NFL Playoffs since his arrival. He is a lame duck head coach going into the 2024 NFL season; he will need to win the Super Bowl and/or go deep in the postseason to secure a second contract with the organization.
On offense, the Cowboys have some very good guys in Prescott and Lamb. They also boast the famous Zack Martin at right guard, Jake Ferguson at tight end, and Bradin Cooks at wide receiver, all of whom are All-Pro caliber players.
They did, however, also lose a few important players to free agency. Tryon Smith, a left tackle, just signed with the New York Jets. The Cowboys currently intend to use youngster Tyler Guyton to replace the eventual Hall of Fame left tackle.
For a team that essentially lacks a true primary running back (Ezekiel Elliott could return, but McCarthy has said they will use the running back by committee strategy), this is a huge risk, especially since they might be about to give their quarterback the biggest contract in NFL history.
Guyton might prove to be a terrific player, but Dallas might be better off finding some additional offensive line expertise to safeguard their investments, considering the current status of the Cowboys and the many uncertainties surrounding its best players.
Dallas insider Reid Hanson recently said that David Bakhtiari would be a strong depth/security option in a piece for Cowboys Wire:
“As a left tackle, Bakhtiari was the best for many years. He was the only player in the league that could compete with Tyron Smith of the Cowboys for the title of best player. The only NFL player to be selected to the first or second team All-Pros in each of the seasons from 2016 to 2020 was 32-year-old Bakhtiari. He often played as an island protector for a quarterback who wasn’t afraid to improvise behind him. He was a superb run blocker and pass protector.
“If Guyton has trouble, switching Smith from guard to LT isn’t the best course of action. Furthermore, it’s hard to say whether Richards or Waletzko would be a better option than a struggling Steele. It would be much more reassuring to have a veteran like Bakhtiari available in relief.”
The issue of Bakhtiari’s health exists. After all, during the previous three seasons, he has only appeared in 13 games. Doctors indicate that he will be fully recovered by the start of training camp, though, and his knee is healing. In the previous three seasons, he was unable to make that claim.
Coach McCarthy, who was with the Packers when Bakhtiari was picked, is another person with whom Bakhtiari has a history. McCarthy led Bakhtiari’s three All-Pro teams out of his five that he assembled.
Besides, it’s not like signing Bakhtiari will cost Dallas much. After three seasons marred by injuries, he won’t demand a deal more than the minimum. It would be a scenario of minimal risk and tremendous profit.
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