Eagles just screwed Cowboys yet again with massive A.J. Brown extension

The leaves are falling for Jerry Jones, but the Dallas Cowboys owner continues to drag his feet instead of giving out contract extensions. Dak Prescott's future is the biggest question hovering over the franchise, but CeeDee Lamb is still without a new deal entering the final year of his rookie contract.

The Cowboys will obviously extend Lamb, who's on the record saying he doesn't want to play for another franchise. It's a matter of when, not if, but the longer Dallas waits the more expensive Lamb's price becomes ... and the longer Lamb's contract holdout lasts.

Jones has dared the market to soar at wide receiver and it has happened twice since his nightmare pre-draft press conference. The latest came in the form of the Eagles and A.J. Brown agreeing to a three-year, $96 million extension minutes before the NFL Draft kicked off Thursday night.

Brown's $32 million salary makes him the highest-paid WR in league history. His $84 million in guarantees also tops the position.

CeeDee Lamb just got more expensive for Cowboys after A.J. Brown's contract extension

The Eagles might be the Cowboys' foremost rivals, but their front office is the gold standard. General manager Howie Roseman has an elite understanding that getting ahead of the curve on contract extensions always saves you money. Even if the deal doesn't age well, the risk is always worth the reward.

Before Brown, the Eagles signed fellow wideout DeVonta Smith and offensive linemen Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata to rich new deals. That's how it's done. Lamb should already have an extension. As should Prescott and talks with Micah Parsons should already be intensifying.

Seeing that Brown will make $32 million per year, Lamb will likely set a baseline of $32 million during negotations. That number stands to increase if the Vikings extend Justin Jefferson before Dallas inks Lamb. The Bengals and Ja'Marr Chase could also agree to terms before Jones wakes up.

Even more embarrassing for Dallas? The Lions and star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown agreed on a four-year, $120 million extension on Wednesday. St.Brown's $32.002 million salary made him the highest-paid WR for all of 24 hours. He also had the most guaranteed money before Brown's deal was announced.

This is just another example of the Cowboys being caught sleeping. They are damaging their future salary cap by waiting. At this rate, Lamb might be the last marquee receiver to sign an extension this offseason.

More Cowboys coverage