The Dallas Cowboys are warming up for their 2024 NFL regular season opener against the Cleveland Browns with a mere 18 days left in the countdown. As the clock ticks down, the spotlight intensifies on the contract situations of two pivotal players: First Team All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Second Team All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott. Both athletes are nearing the conclusion of their existing contracts, raising significant questions about their future with the franchise.
CeeDee Lamb's Contract Negotiations
Lamb, wrapping up his rookie contract, is entering the final year of his current deal at the age of 25. His standout performance last season, leading the league with 135 catches, underscores his importance to the team. However, Lamb's decision to hold out of the Cowboys’ entire offseason program has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing negotiations. The franchise has presented Lamb with an offer "slightly under $33 million per season," not far off from Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown’s average annual salary of $32 million. However, this figure still trails behind the substantial four-year, $140 million extension with $110 million guaranteed that Justin Jefferson signed with the Minnesota Vikings.
Addressing the ongoing talks, Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones sounds hopeful. "We're in good shape there. We're having good talks. I think I am [optimistic]." There seems to be a mutual desire for agreement, as Jones emphasized, "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."
Prescott’s Final Contract Year
On the other side of the spectrum is Dak Prescott, who finds himself in the final season of a four-year, $160 million contract. With both a no-franchise-tag clause and a no-trade clause embedded in his contract, Prescott holds pivotal leverage as free agency looms. Having turned 31 this offseason, the veteran quarterback faces a critical juncture in his career and the Cowboys’ strategic planning.
Jones remains pragmatic, noting that ongoing negotiations are part and parcel of the business side of the sport. "Well again, we're just continuing to talk," he shared, highlighting a continuous dialogue. "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."
Strategic Implications
The outcomes of these contract discussions carry profound ramifications for the Cowboys' strategy and performance. Locking in Lamb, whose youthful exuberance and proven track record make him a cornerstone for the team’s offensive unit, would send a strong signal of stability and commitment to capitalizing on his prime years. On the other hand, securing Prescott for the foreseeable future could anchor a consistent and reliable leadership at the quarterback position, a critical factor for any team with championship aspirations.
The countdown to the season opener is filled with anticipation not just for game day but for the pivotal negotiations that could shape the Cowboys' roster dynamics for years to come. Football is as much a game of strategy off the field as it is within the white lines, and how Dallas navigates these negotiations will be a testament to their long-term vision.