The Philadelphia Eagles have solidified their status as an NFL juggernaut, clinching two Super Bowl titles in the last eight seasons and reaching the playoffs in seven of those years, with their only miss coming during Jalen Hurts’ rookie campaign in 2020. Since 2021, their 49 wins trail only the Kansas City Chiefs’ 52, a testament to their consistent dominance. With key offensive and defensive stars like Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith locked in for at least two more seasons, the Eagles are poised to remain fierce contenders in 2025 and beyond, thanks to their front office’s strategic roster-building.
Eagles’ Salary Cap Mastery vs. Cowboys’ Costly Approach
Under the leadership of General Manager Howie Roseman, the Philadelphia Eagles have become experts in salary cap management. They make shrewd draft picks, execute timely contract extensions, and execute smart trades to keep their roster stacked.
A recent X post by former quarterback Dan Orlovsky emphasized this point, noting that the combined 2025 cap hit for Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith is approximately $40.1 million, according to Spotrac. This is significantly less than the $50.5 million cap hit for Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott alone, the highest in the NFL.
This efficient cap management enables the Eagles to strengthen their roster across multiple positions, ensuring depth and flexibility. In contrast, the Cowboys’ front office, led by Jerry Jones, has taken a different approach, prioritizing massive contracts like Prescott’s. He earns a record-breaking average annual value of $60 million. While Prescott’s regular-season prowess-a 76-46 record, four division titles, and historic stats for the Cowboys-is undeniable, his 2-5 playoff record raises questions about his postseason value.
This hefty cap hit complicates Dallas’s ability to pay other stars, notably edge rusher Micah Parsons. Parsons has requested a trade due to stalled contract talks. Parsons is a defensive force who has recorded 52.5 sacks in his first four seasons. He is one of only four players in NFL history to record at least 10 sacks in each of their first four years. This makes him a prime target for any team with cap space.
Future Cap Hits: Prescott vs. Eagles’ Star Trio
Looking ahead, the salary cap disparity between Prescott and the Eagles’ core trio of Hurts, Brown, and Smith becomes even more striking when considering their projected cap hits for 2026, 2027, and 2028. These figures highlight Philadelphia’s cap-friendly contracts compared to Dallas’s financial burden.
2026
- Jalen Hurts: $31.97M
- A.J. Brown: $23.39M
- DeVonta Smith: $10.73M
- Trio Total: $66.09M
- Dak Prescott: $74.07M
2027
- Jalen Hurts: $42.13M
- A.J. Brown: $22.71M
- DeVonta Smith: $14.77M
- Trio Total: $79.61M
- Dak Prescott: $68.39M
2028
- Jalen Hurts: $47.55M
- A.J. Brown: $27.59M
- DeVonta Smith: $20.07M
- Trio Total: $95.21M
- Dak Prescott: $78.39M
These figures highlight how the Eagles’ strategic cap management allows them to retain three elite players for roughly the same cost as Dallas’ single quarterback in coming years, leaving the Cowboys in a precarious position as they navigate Parsons’ contract demands and roster needs.
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