With just 18 days remaining until the Dallas Cowboys kick off their 2024 NFL regular season against the Cleveland Browns, the spotlight shines brightly on the contract situations of two of the team's key stars: CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. Both players are poised to enter the final year of their current contracts, holding significant implications for the Cowboys' roster and future.
Rising Star in Limbo
CeeDee Lamb, the dynamic First Team All-Pro wide receiver, is concluding his rookie contract at the age of 25. Lamb's recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, leading the league with 135 catches last season. Despite this, negotiations over his new contract have hit an impasse, causing Lamb to hold out of Dallas' entire offseason program.
The Cowboys have extended an offer to Lamb that averages just under $33 million per season. To put this into perspective, Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver A.J. Brown's average annual salary stands at $32 million. Meanwhile, Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson recently inked a four-year, $140 million deal with $110 million guaranteed. The offer to Lamb signals Dallas' intention to retain their top talent, but whether it meets Lamb’s expectations remains to be seen.
Owner Jerry Jones remains optimistic about the ongoing negotiations. "We're in good shape there. We're having good talks. I think I am [optimistic]," Jones 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."
Quarterback Conundrum
On the other side of the ball, quarterback Dak Prescott, a Second Team All-Pro, is also entering the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract. This contract notably includes both a no-franchise-tag clause and a no-trade clause, giving Prescott considerable leverage in negotiations. At 31 years old, Prescott could become an unrestricted free agent next offseason if an agreement isn't reached in time.
Jones addressed the situation, noting the professional approach both sides are taking as the season approaches. "Well again, we're just continuing to talk," he said. "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 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."
Implications for the Cowboys
As both Lamb and Prescott head towards potentially pivotal seasons, the Cowboys find themselves at a crossroads. Securing new deals for their star receiver and quarterback is not just a matter of locking down talent; it's about setting the course for their franchise's future competitiveness and stability. The outcomes of these negotiations will ripple through the team, affecting both on-field chemistry and the broader strategy Dallas adopts moving forward.
The fans, ever hopeful and invested, will be watching these developments closely. The Cowboys' management and coaching staff are undoubtedly mindful that the resolutions of these contract discussions need to align with the team's ambitions for postseason success and beyond.
As the countdown to the season opener ticks away, the urgency surrounding these negotiations will only intensify. Both CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott represent critical cogs in the Cowboys' machine, and securing their futures in Dallas is paramount to maintaining the momentum that the team hopes will drive them to NFL glory.