The Cowboys are facing the prospects of signing QB Dak Prescott, RB Ezekiel Elliott and WR Amari Cooper to big-money extensions before their current contracts expire, and while they should "consider the benefits of being a Cowboy when signing with the team," having a "star on your helmet doesn't make you a bigger star" as it may have in the past, according to NFL Network's Nate Burleson. Cowboys COO, Exec VP & Dir of Player Personnel Stephen Jones has talked about convincing those players not to take big deals because playing for the Cowboys brings cache on and off the field. However, Burleson said, “Social media has changed the game. This isn't the '90s, where the Cowboys are the ones that you always see on TV and the only ones you hear about and the only ones you read about in Sports Illustrated.” Fans can go on social media and follow their favorite players who “can be a star in any NFL city.” But NFL Network’s Peter Schrager said, “If you wear that star, you are on primetime television 11 times a year. If you succeed as a Dallas Cowboy, you are a legend.” He added if someone wins as a player for the Cowboys, that player is "set for life because you are a Cowboys legend." NFL Network’s Kay Adams: “If that's true and they have all the primetime games and they sell more gear and they have more eyeballs on them, then they're making more money.” But Burleson countered, “Players can go anywhere and be a star” (“Good Morning Football,” NFL Network, 5/10).
