Cowboys Super Bowl Champion Faces Uncertain Future Without Contract Talks
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Dallas, TX – July 5, 2025, 10:43 PM +07
He’s a proven winner in a secondary that once thrived under pressure. He’s outplayed his modest contract, outworked the competition, and outlasted many around him. Yet, the Dallas Cowboys have chosen silence—deliberate, puzzling silence—while safety Damontae Kazee waits for a contract extension call that may never come.
Kazee has delivered where it counts. A Super Bowl LIV champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020, he joined the Cowboys in 2024 and posted 68 tackles and two interceptions in 14 starts, bolstering a defense ranked 28th in total yards allowed. His tenacity and experience have been vital, especially with Trevon Diggs sidelined by injury and DaRon Bland’s inconsistent play. Yet, with a 2025 salary of just $2.5 million and over $32 million in cap space, no extension talks have surfaced.
“Last I heard, there’s been no progress on a new deal,” a Cowboys insider told The Dallas Morning News. “The front office hasn’t reached out to Damontae.” This inaction contrasts with swift extensions for stars like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Kazee’s current one-year deal, signed in 2024, expires after 2025, leaving him poised for free agency in 2026.
Behind him, the safety room is a mixed bag. Donovan Wilson leads, but his $7.7 million cap hit looms large. Juanyeh Thomas and Israel Mukuamu offer depth, while rookie Markquese Bell remains unproven. If reliability matters, Kazee’s Super Bowl pedigree and 2024 PFF grade of 68.9 make him indispensable—yet possibly undervalued.
There’s leverage in play. Kazee shares an agent with Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, known for pushing holdouts. If the Cowboys delay, Kazee could hit free agency, where market projections suggest $8-10 million annually, similar to Justin Simmons’ 2023 deal. His clutch moments, like a game-saving tackle against the Giants, underscore his worth.
This isn’t about disloyalty—it’s about recognition. With training camp nearing on July 21, the Cowboys’ quiet strategy risks losing a champion who thrives without fanfare. Can they secure Kazee, or will his legacy shift elsewhere? Stay tuned to ESPN for updates.
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