As the countdown to the Dallas Cowboys' 2024 NFL regular season opener against the Cleveland Browns hits 18 days, the focus is intensifying not just on the field but off it as well. The spotlight is firmly on the contract negotiations of two key players: First Team All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Second Team All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott. Both stars are heading into the final year of their current deals, making this a pivotal moment for the franchise.
CeeDee Lamb: A Rising Star
At just 25 years old, CeeDee Lamb has already solidified himself as one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL. Wrapping up his rookie contract, Lamb led the league last season with an astounding 135 catches. However, his commitment to the team has come into question as he has held out of the Cowboys' entire offseason program. This development has raised eyebrows and increased the urgency for Dallas to ensure their top receiver remains in their colors for years to come.
The Cowboys extended an offer to Lamb reportedly "slightly under $33 million per season." This figure is just above the $32 million average annual salary of Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown but falls short of the massive four-year, $140 million extension ($110 million guaranteed) inked by Justin Jefferson with the Minnesota Vikings. Although Lamb's negotiations have fans on edge, team owner Jerry Jones remains optimistic. "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."
Dak Prescott: The Franchise Quarterback
Meanwhile, Dak Prescott, the 31-year-old signal-caller, is in the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract, which includes a no-franchise-tag clause and a no-trade clause. These special clauses indicate Prescott's importance to the franchise but also add layers of complexity to the ongoing negotiations. If a new agreement isn't reached, Prescott could enter unrestricted free agency next offseason, a prospect that has left Cowboys fans and management alike in suspense.
Jones, ever the diplomat, provided some assurance while discussing Prescott’s contract situation. "Well again, we're just continuing to talk," he noted. "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 Stakes
These negotiations carry immense implications for the Cowboys' immediate and long-term future. Prescott and Lamb are not only pivotal to the team's current success but are also seen as foundational pieces around which the franchise aims to build. The Cowboys' leadership is fully aware of what’s at stake, and with the season opener swiftly approaching, the pressure to finalize these deals is mounting.
As of now, the Cowboys continue their preparations under the existing contracts, with hopes that new agreements can be reached without disrupting the team’s on-field performance. For fans, the uncertainty remains, but the words of Jerry Jones offer a glimmer of hope. “None of us -- player or team -- want to hurt the preparation or likelihood of playing at your best,” he reiterated.
The coming days will be crucial. Will the Cowboys secure the long-term futures of their star players, or will they face the unthinkable scenario of heading into the new season with unresolved contract issues? If there is one certainty, it’s that the drama surrounding these negotiations will captivate fans and analysts until resolutions are found.