As the Dallas Cowboys approach their 2024 NFL regular season opener against the Cleveland Browns, all eyes are on the contract situations of two of their star players: CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott. With just 18 days until the kickoff, the anticipation and uncertainty surrounding these contractual negotiations are palpable.
CeeDee Lamb: At a Crossroads
First Team All-Pro wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, is concluding his rookie contract and entering the final year of his current deal. At 25 years old, Lamb boasts an impressive resume, having led the league with 135 catches last season. Despite his performance, his entire offseason has been marred by his holdout from the Cowboys’ program.
An offer has been extended to Lamb, reportedly "slightly under $33 million per season." This figure has sparked conversations, especially when compared to the $32 million annual salary of Philadelphia Eagles' wideout A.J. Brown. Furthermore, Justin Jefferson’s recent four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, including $110 million guaranteed, sets a lofty benchmark for Lamb's negotiations.
Despite the turbulence, Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones remains optimistic. "We're in good shape there. We're having good talks. I think I am [optimistic]," Jones shared. He continued, "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."
Dak Prescott: A Critical Juncture
On the other side, Second Team All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott is also in a pivotal position. Entering the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract, Prescott's deal features both a no-franchise-tag clause and a no-trade clause, providing him significant leverage. At 31 years old, Prescott faces the possibility of entering unrestricted free agency next offseason if a new agreement isn’t reached.
Jones acknowledged the complexity of in-season negotiations, stating, "Well again, we're just continuing to talk." He elaborated on the current operational dynamics, "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."
The Road Ahead
As the regular season inches closer, the Cowboys' management and their star players remain locked in critical negotiations. The resolution of these contract situations will undoubtedly shape the team's immediate and long-term future. The stakes are high, and the outcomes of these talks will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Jones’ confidence hints at potential positive outcomes, but with both players entering their contract's final year, the urgency cannot be understated. Dallas faces the challenge of ensuring that these negotiations do not disrupt their preparation and performance as they strive for success in the upcoming season.
For now, the focus remains on the field, but the contracts hovering in the background mean the Cowboys' front office has crucial decisions to make. Fans can only hope that these decisions will lead to continued excellence and stability for the franchise.