Credit: AP Photo/Julio Cortez
The Dallas Cowboys are prioritizing CeeDee Lamb’s contract extension as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Being absent as the training camp starts because of contract issues says everything about his future with the team.
Presently, he is supposed to get $17.99 million this year which is the final year of his rookie contract, but he wants his pay to be in the same tier as that of Justin Jefferson and A.J. Brown.
Lamb’s Impact on the Cowboys
Lamb’s absence looms large for cowboys’ offensive plans
Since the Cowboys drafted Lamb in 2020, he has been a big part of their offense. Lamb set franchise records in 2022 with 135 catches and 1,749 receiving yards, leading the NFL in both categories.
His performance has made him a main target for quarterback Dak Prescott, who has thrown many of his touchdowns to Lamb.
Lamb’s absence in camp is a big deal because Mike McCarthy needs him to have a cohesive offense.
Lamb’s situation is similar to what happened with Elliott in 2019 who held out for an extension to his contract.
The Cowboys gave in to his demands and signed him to a big deal before the regular season started.
Lamb holdout has now created similar questions about how the Cowboys will work through contract negotiations with other key players like Prescott who is in the final year of his deal.
The Negotiation Landscape
Lamb’s value on the line: cowboys under pressure
There are reports that Lamb and the Cowboys are far apart. Lamb’s camp is looking for a deal that finally reflects his elite status, maybe even more so after some of the big deals given to other wideouts.
Lamb himself said that in an interview on teammate Micah Parsons’ podcast at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas:
I can’t give you … numbers right now, but I’ll tell you this: I want to be one of the top paid receivers for sure, if not the highest-paid receiver. …”That’s always the goal.”
That’s what the Cowboys want to do with their star players for long-term success in the league.
The Cowboys have prioritized Lamb’s contract over Prescott’s arguably because they know how valuable he is to the team.
Now with Lamb out of camp, there’s a problem for the Cowboys which is getting him back on the field as soon as possible so he doesn’t miss training camp and more preparations before the season.
The Cowboys are focusing on figuring out a way to extend Lamb’s contract.
He’s a big piece of their offense but both the team and Lamb are under pressure to finalize these negotiations so he can stick around longer with the franchise.
This report used information from Sports Illustrated.
