The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up to wrap up their training camp and march back to Texas, with unresolved contract situations casting shadows over the coming season. As the team prepares for its training camp practice at The Star in Frisco on August 27 and the season kickoff ceremony on August 28, key players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb remain without long-term contract extensions.
Quarterback and Wide Receiver in Contract Limbo
Quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, both pivotal to the Cowboys' success, have yet to finalize their contract extensions. This has sparked significant speculation about whether these deals will be sealed before the season begins. Jerry and Stephen Jones have been open about their desire to retain both Prescott and Lamb, signaling their commitment to keeping their core players intact.
Prescott, who led the NFL in passing touchdowns last season with a remarkable 36, is currently under a four-year, $160 million contract that includes both a no-franchise tag clause and a no-trade clause. Despite the contract's high value, negotiations for an extension have been handled primarily by his agent, Todd France. “There’s been conversations back and forth, but for the most part for me, as y’all know, I let my agent do that. Especially as we get right here into training camp," Prescott stated, emphasizing his focus on the team rather than contractual discussions.
CeeDee Lamb's Push for a New Deal
On the other hand, Lamb, who was named a first-team All-Pro wide receiver last season after leading the NFL with 135 receptions, has taken a different approach by holding out from the Cowboys' offseason program. Lamb is seeking a deal beyond the final year of his rookie contract, which concludes in 2024. In response to Lamb's impressive performance, Jerry Jones has extended an offer that would make him the second-highest paid wide receiver on an average annual basis, attempting to ensure that Lamb remains a Cowboys mainstay.
The market for wide receivers saw a seismic shift earlier this offseason when Justin Jefferson inked a four-year, $135 million extension, which included $110 million in guaranteed money. This deal has undoubtedly influenced Lamb’s contract expectations and the Cowboys’ negotiation strategy.
Jerry Jones' Optimism
Jerry Jones remains optimistic about reaching agreements with both Prescott and Lamb. He commented, "We’re in good shape there. We’re having good talks. I think I am [optimistic]. And when I say that, it doesn’t sound too promising. The facts are that I believe we’ll come together.”
He remains cautious and thorough in his approach, “We have to be smart when he gets here. We’re going to ramp up and get the wrinkles, there’s always going to be some new wrinkles that I’m sure he’s in tune with from a communication standpoint, but he’s going to need some reps. Yeah, we’ll get that done,” noted Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy, referring to ensuring Lamb’s readiness for the season despite his holdout.
Jones also elaborated on the complexities of negotiations, stating, “Well again, we’re just continuing to talk. The thing is there, since we’re really in-season, practicing, doing all those things, we’re operating under the existing contract really good. One of the things that the fans should really understand is that nine times out of 10, 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.”
Awaiting Week 1 Against the Browns
As the Cowboys gear up for their Week 1 face-off with the Cleveland Browns, they must prepare for a challenging match-up. The Browns boasted the NFL's top defense last season, allowing a mere 270.2 total yards per game, spearheaded by Myles Garrett, who was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Nevertheless, the Cowboys led the NFL in scoring last season with an impressive average of 29.9 points per game, an accomplishment magnified by it being Coach Mike McCarthy's first season as the team's offensive play-caller.
The unresolved contracts of Prescott and Lamb add a layer of intrigue to what promises to be a compelling season. The Cowboys remain hopeful that both players will be secured long-term, ensuring that their offensive prowess continues to dominate the league.