With only 18 days remaining before the Dallas Cowboys square off against the Cleveland Browns to kick off their 2024 NFL regular season, the atmosphere in Dallas is tinged with anticipation and tension. The focus has narrowed on the contractual statuses of two of the Cowboys' linchpins: wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. Both players are nearing the end of their current contracts, making negotiations critical for the Cowboys' future.
Contract Talks Heating Up
The urgency is palpable for First Team All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who at 25 years old, is coming off an extraordinary season where he led the league with 135 catches. Lamb is finishing his rookie contract and has held out of Dallas' entire offseason program, indicating his stance for a lucrative new deal. The Cowboys extended an offer to Lamb "slightly under $33 million per season," which puts it above the average annual salary of Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown’s $32 million but still lags behind the recent blockbuster deal of Justin Jefferson. Jefferson inked a four-year extension with the Minnesota Vikings worth $140 million, including an eye-watering $110 million guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Second Team All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott is in 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. This offseason, he turned 31, making this a pivotal moment for both him and the franchise. Without a new agreement, Prescott stands to enter unrestricted free agency next offseason.
Optimism from the Ownership
Jerry Jones, Cowboys' owner and general manager, exudes optimism despite the tense circumstances. "We're in good shape there. We're having good talks. I think I am [optimistic]," Jones said, alluding to the ongoing negotiations with Lamb. His words reflect a cautious optimism, underlined by the franchise’s recent offer. "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," Jones added.
Regarding Prescott, Jones' stance remains straightforward and confident. "Well again, we're just continuing to talk," he remarked. Such a statement underscores the ongoing dialogue but leaves the door open for various eventualities. Prescott’s existing contract allows room for continued negotiations without hampering the team’s immediate preparations. "The thing is there, since we're really in-season, practicing, doing all those things, we're operating under the existing contract really good," Jones said.
Strategic Negotiations
The Cowboys are keen to ensure that contract discussions do not disrupt team harmony or performance on the field. "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," Jones pointed out.
The overarching aim for the Cowboys is clear: maintaining a balance between negotiating lucrative extensions for key players and ensuring that those negotiations do not distract from the pressing imperative of preparing for the upcoming season. The outcome of these contract talks will considerably shape the franchise's strategies for both immediate and long-term success.
For Cowboys fans, the behind-the-scenes negotiations provide a fascinating subplot to the impending season’s high stakes games. As the clock ticks down to the opener against the Browns, the developments around Lamb and Prescott's contracts will remain a significant focus, potentially setting the course for the Cowboys' season and beyond.