Patrick Mahomes did not throw a pass, win a game, or lift a trophy this week, yet his influence rippled across the NFL.
??
By restructuring his contract to ease the Kansas City Chiefs‘ salary cap crisis, the superstar quarterback unintentionally placed Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys under a microscope, forcing a comparison that could shape the franchise’s entire offseason.
The Chiefs were facing severe financial strain entering 2026, sitting tens of millions over the projected cap. Mahomes agreed to convert $54.5 million of his compensation into a signing bonus, lowering his cap hit from roughly $78 million to about $35 million this season.
The move freed more than $40 million in space, giving Kansas City breathing room to retain players and pursue reinforcements.
Importantly, Mahomes did not sacrifice total earnings. The restructure simply shifted money into future years, a common but powerful tool elite franchises use to remain competitive. Still, the symbolism carries weight.
When a quarterback widely viewed as the face of the league helps stabilize his team’s finances, it inevitably raises expectations elsewhere.
For Dallas, those expectations center on Prescott, whose contract ranks among the richest in football while the Cowboys grapple with their own cap issues. Former star receiver Cris Carter believes the math alone makes Prescott‘s involvement unavoidable.
“[Prescott]’s the highest paid,” Carter said on his podcast. “So now when you start looking at, okay, George Pickens is talking about he wants to be the highest paid. CeeDee Lamb, they just gave him $35 million. Dak‘s making $55 million. You could eat up $300 million in a hurry.”
Dallas balancing star power with roster reality
The Cowboys‘ roster features multiple elite talents commanding premium salaries, a luxury that quickly becomes a burden under the salary cap.
If Dallas commits to a long term deal for wide receiver George Pickens after using the franchise tag, the team could devote a staggering portion of its payroll to just three offensive players.
Such concentration leaves little flexibility to address weaknesses, particularly on defense, where Dallas struggled to maintain consistency.
A restructure of Prescott‘s deal could spread financial obligations across future seasons, creating immediate space to build depth.
Kansas City has leaned on this strategy for years. Mahomes‘ contract has been adjusted repeatedly since his landmark extension, allowing the Chiefs to surround him with talent while postponing the largest cap hits.
His deal is projected to exceed $80 million against the cap in 2027, a number widely expected to be renegotiated again before it takes effect.
Whether Dallas is willing to adopt that long term approach remains uncertain. Owner Jerry Jones has historically preferred maintaining financial flexibility rather than pushing massive obligations into future seasons.
??
Leadership extends beyond statistics
Prescott‘s influence in Dallas goes beyond accounting spreadsheets. Teammates and executives consistently point to his professionalism, particularly during contract disputes. When discussing Pickens‘ franchise tag situation, executive Stephen Jones highlighted Prescott as an example.
“A lot of guys we’ve tagged participated in everything, (with) Dak leading the way,” Jones said. “He played under 2 of them. He never missed anything. Hopefully, that will be the case here.”
That reputation as a dependable leader strengthens Prescott‘s standing inside the organization, but it also amplifies the stakes. If the Cowboys want to keep their offensive core intact while addressing roster gaps, cooperation between quarterback and front office may be essential.
Mahomes‘ restructure did not instantly transform Kansas City into a champion, nor did it erase future challenges. Yet it demonstrated how a franchise quarterback can influence a team’s trajectory without ever stepping onto the field.
For Dallas, the decision now looming is less about comparison and more about philosophy. The Cowboys must determine whether short term relief is worth long term risk or whether they will attempt to contend while carrying one of the league’s heaviest financial burdens at the game’s most expensive position.
Read the full article here
