The Dallas Cowboys find themselves at a pivotal juncture as they approach the start of the 2024 NFL regular season. With just 18 days remaining before their opener against the Cleveland Browns, all eyes are on the contract negotiations involving two of their star players: CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott.
CeeDee Lamb: The Rising Star
At 25 years old, CeeDee Lamb is on the brink of concluding his rookie contract. The First Team All-Pro wide receiver was nothing short of spectacular last season, leading the league with 135 catches—a performance that has positioned him as a cornerstone of the Cowboys' future.
However, this offseason has been clouded by uncertainty as Lamb has held out of Dallas' entire offseason program. The Cowboys have extended an offer "slightly under $33 million per season" to retain Lamb, a lucrative proposal that surpasses A.J. Brown’s average annual salary of $32 million with the Philadelphia Eagles but falls short of Justin Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, which includes $110 million guaranteed.
Despite the holdout, team owner Jerry Jones remains optimistic. “We're in good shape there. We're having good talks. I think I am [optimistic],” Jones stated, conveying a sense of confidence that a deal will be reached. He further added, “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: The Franchise Quarterback
Dak Prescott, the Cowboys' Second Team All-Pro quarterback, is also navigating through a critical contract year. Prescott, who turned 31 this offseason, is in the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract. His current deal includes both a no-franchise-tag clause and a no-trade clause, adding layers of complexity to the negotiation process.
Prescott's impending free agency looms over the Cowboys' season. Should an agreement not be reached, Prescott may enter unrestricted free agency next offseason, leaving Dallas with a significant void to fill. However, Jones appears unperturbed about the ongoing negotiations. “Well again, we're just continuing to talk,” he mentioned, indicating that dialogues are ongoing and substantial progress could be made as both parties work towards a resolution.
The Bigger Picture
While the negotiations for Lamb and Prescott continue in tandem, the larger narrative hinges on how these discussions might impact the team’s performance on the field. Jones alluded to the delicate balance between contract negotiations and team preparation. “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.”
As the regular season draws nearer, the Cowboys remain focused on maintaining their cohesion and performance despite the looming contract uncertainties. How they navigate these negotiations will not only shape their immediate future but could significantly influence their long-term trajectory in the highly competitive NFL landscape. The urgency is palpable, yet the overarching sentiment emanating from the organization is one of cautious optimism. As the countdown to the season opener continues, the Cowboys are poised to tackle these contractual challenges head-on, with an eye towards securing the futures of both CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott.