Report: Cowboys star WR prepared to carry out till extension

Talks between the Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb are anticipated to select up this summer season. The All-Professional extensive receiver is in a contract yr, however so is Dak Prescott. Though Micah Parsons appears positive together with his extension talks coming subsequent yr, a latest rumor pointed to the Cowboys inserting Prescott above Lamb of their extension queue.

Prescott definitely took his time maximizing his leverage throughout his first spherical of negotiations, which spanned three offseasons, and the standout quarterback carries appreciable leverage this time round. Dak’s state of affairs holding up Lamb’s could possibly be difficult for the Cowboys, who’re dealing with the probability of three gamers pushing for position-record extensions. If no extension comes, Lamb needs to be anticipated to check the crew in the way in which Zack Martin did final yr.

Lamb isn’t anticipated to indicate up for coaching camp except he has an extension in place, in response to the Dallas Morning Information’ Calvin Watkins. This might not be a surprising transfer, because the fifth-year wideout skipped minicamp.

In fact, that drew barely a $100K positive. Gamers who skip coaching camp are topic to $50K fines for every day missed. Nick Bosa, nevertheless, supplied a blueprint to such a street not costing a participant within the hold-in period. Bosa held out, however the 49ers waived his fines. Groups are not allowed to waive fines for gamers, per the 2020 CBA, however an exception exists for gamers on rookie contracts. Lamb qualifies, as he’s tied to a fifth-year choice.

The Cowboys have been unable to waive Martin’s fines throughout his 2023 holdout, however the crew buckled and turned the ultimate two years of his contract into a totally assured settlement. Martin acquired $36.85MM assured final summer season. Lamb is probably going angling for a contract at or very near the Justin Jefferson stage. Contemplating the Vikings gave Jefferson $26M extra in assured cash than another extensive receiver and $36M extra totally assured than any wideout secured, the Cowboys have an advanced negotiation coming.

Cowboys officers have stated they don’t need to set markets with their extensions, Watkins provides. That could be a difficulty as a result of leverage and/or caliber of gamers with whom they are going to negotiate. Progress stays elusive in talks with Prescott and Lamb.

Prescott can’t be franchise-tagged or traded, and after one other restructure, the Cowboys would face a $40.1M useless cash invoice if they don’t prolong him by the beginning of the 2025 league yr. The Cowboys are making ready to make a powerful supply, however Prescott performed hardball throughout his first spherical of negotiations. It will shock if the eighth-year vet didn’t deliver forth an analogous plan, particularly because the QB market has hit $55M per yr ($15M north of Dak’s AAV), this time round.

A contract that bridges the hole between the ensures Jefferson and A.J. Brown secured can be wise for the Cowboys, although they undoubtedly may have signed Lamb for cheaper had they finished a deal in 2023. Dallas has acquired criticism for delays with Lamb and Prescott, and if Parsons negotiations do start in 2025, he will probably be in a contract yr as nicely. Whereas the Cowboys have acted early on extensions (Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Ezekiel Elliott), they haven’t finished so for a first-rounder in 5 years.

Jefferson secured $110M assured, topping Brown’s earlier WR customary of $84M. Tyreek Hill‘s $52.5M assure at signing held the WR lead till Jefferson’s whopping $88.7M quantity surfaced. The Cowboys have by no means assured a receiver greater than $40M at signing, and so they escaped the opposite $20M assured in Amari Cooper‘s deal by buying and selling him to the Browns.

A Lamb payday factored into that commerce, with Jerry Jones citing the elder WR’s contract as the rationale for the commerce. Lamb, 25, has taken off since Cooper’s exit, although the Cowboys have run into some bother discovering constant receiving assist over the previous two seasons.

Lamb stated in January he needed to turn into the NFL’s highest-paid receiver. Three receivers — Jefferson, Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown — have since raised the bar, bringing excellent news for the Oklahoma alum. The Cowboys have one of many trickier contract gluts in latest reminiscence. In the event that they stick with extending Prescott first, Lamb’s resolve will probably be examined if/as soon as a holdout commences.