The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for their 2024 NFL regular season opener against the Cleveland Browns, scheduled to take place in just 18 days. As the countdown continues, attention is increasingly shifting to the contract negotiations involving two of the team's pivotal players: wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott.
Critical Contract Negotiations
CeeDee Lamb, a First Team All-Pro wide receiver, is entering the final year of his rookie contract. At 25 years old, Lamb’s performance last season was nothing short of extraordinary, leading the league with 135 catches. However, Lamb's off-field stance has also been notable; he has held out of the Cowboys' entire offseason program as negotiations linger. The Cowboys have made an offer that is "slightly under $33 million per season," a significant figure but one that remains just under the average annual salary of Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, which stands at $32 million.
On the other side of the negotiations table, Second Team All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott is also in a contract year. The 31-year-old quarterback is in the final season of his four-year, $160 million contract, one that includes both no-franchise-tag and no-trade clauses. With negotiations ongoing, there’s a looming possibility that Prescott might enter unrestricted free agency next offseason unless a new deal is reached.
Jerry Jones Speaks
Jerry Jones, the Cowboys' owner, has been publicly optimistic about the ongoing talks concerning both players. “We're in good shape there. We're having good talks. I think I am [optimistic],” Jones stated. Further emphasizing the importance of these discussions, he added, “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 also highlighted the strategic timing and the practicalities of operating under existing contracts. “We're just continuing to talk,” he noted, and further explained the current operation dynamics, “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.”
Broader Comparisons
In light of these negotiations, wider comparisons have come into play. Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings recently signed a four-year, $140 million extension, inclusive of $110 million guaranteed, setting a high benchmark within the league. Such substantial deals highlight the financial and strategic balancing act the Cowboys must navigate to retain their top talent while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
The tension around these negotiations manifests a broader trend across the NFL landscape, where elite athletes seek contracts reflective of their significant contributions while teams strive to maintain a competitive edge under the salary cap constraints.
As the Cowboys and their fans brace for the start of the 2024 season, the outcomes of these contract negotiations will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the team's dynamics and future. Whether Lamb’s impressive numbers from last season will translate into a historic new deal, or if Prescott’s storied run with the Cowboys will extend beyond this season, remains to be seen.
For now, all eyes are on the negotiating table, where the future of two of the Cowboys' cornerstone players hangs in the balance.