Cowboys' Crucial Contract Negotiations: Lamb and Prescott on the Clock
As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for their 2024 NFL regular season opener against the Cleveland Browns, all eyes are on the looming contract situations of two key players: First Team All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Second Team All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott. With just 18 days until kickoff, the pressure is mounting to secure the futures of these vital cogs in the Cowboys' machine.
Looming large over Dallas' preparations is CeeDee Lamb's contract. The 25-year-old receiver, who is wrapping up his rookie contract, led the league with an impressive 135 catches last season. Despite his standout performance, Lamb has notably held out of Dallas' entire offseason program, a move that has amplified the urgency surrounding his contract negotiations.
The Cowboys have extended an offer to Lamb "slightly under $33 million per season," which would position him among the top-paid receivers in the league. For context, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown has an average annual salary of $32 million, while Justin Jefferson recently inked a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings that includes $110 million guaranteed.
Team owner Jerry Jones has expressed optimism about reaching a deal with the star receiver. "We're in good shape there. We're having good talks. I think I am [optimistic]," Jones commented, reflecting a hopeful tone. He further stated, "The facts are that I believe we'll come together. I don't want to speak for him. That's what I'm trying not to do. But we wouldn't have offered him what we've offered him if we didn't want him to be here."
Meanwhile, the situation with quarterback Dak Prescott is equally pressing. Prescott is entering the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract that includes a no-franchise-tag clause and a no-trade clause, making his contract situation uniquely complex. At 31 years old, Prescott is at a pivotal moment in his career, and without a new agreement, he may enter unrestricted free agency next offseason.
Jones has been cautiously optimistic about Prescott's contract discussions as well. "Well again, we're just continuing to talk," he said, indicating ongoing negotiations. He continued, "One of the things that the fans should really understand is that nine times out of ten, these are existing contracts that you have in place. You should be able to operate under those, but we've gotten it now in the NFL -- other teams are dealing with it -- with some time on the contract, you still might have a contract discussion. And that's what we're doing. None of us -- player or team -- want to hurt the preparation or likelihood of playing at your best."
The stakes are high for the Cowboys as they approach their season opener. Lamb and Prescott are not just players; they are cornerstones of the team's strategy and success. Securing their futures would not only stabilize the team but also send a strong message to the rest of the league about Dallas' commitment to maintaining and building upon its current talents.
As the days tick down to the season opener, the Cowboys' front office and coaching staff will be working tirelessly to ensure that contract distractions don't derail their preparations. The outcome of these negotiations will undoubtedly have significant repercussions on the team's performance and prospects in the highly competitive NFC East.
While fans eagerly await the season's start, the simultaneous excitement and tension surrounding the contract situations of Lamb and Prescott serve as a reminder of the delicate balance top-tier NFL teams must maintain between the present and the future. Regardless of the contracts' outcomes, one thing is clear: the Dallas Cowboys are fully engaged in a high-stakes game off the field as well.