A lot of the Cowboys’ 2024 offseason has been outlined by the staff’s lack of progress on extension talks with quarterback Dak Prescott coming into the ultimate yr of his present deal. On the horizon, although, are mega-deals for edge rusher Micah Parsons and wideout CeeDee Lamb.
With the latter having been drafted one yr sooner than the previous, he understandably represents a greater precedence for Dallas. Lamb is in line to safe a large increase on his second contract, however he’s already on the books for 2024 through his $17.99M fifth-year possibility. Staff and participant are positioned to debate an extension this offseason, however for now, that’s not the case.
Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning Information experiences Lamb’s representatives haven’t but held any “substantial talks” with the Cowboys a couple of new deal. The 25-year-old has been eligible for a brand new deal since final offseason, however his public feedback on the matter have included a want to turn out to be the league’s highest-paid receiver. Reaching that purpose would require an AAV above Tyreek Hill‘s $30M determine together with outpacing the worth of Justin Jefferson‘s presumed Vikings extension.
As Watkins’ colleague Michael Gehlkin famous earlier this week, Lamb might not participate within the Cowboys’ upcoming offseason program. That course of — which begins April 15 — is voluntary, although, and an absence wouldn’t carry almost the identical weight as a holdout (or the more and more in style hold-in) throughout coaching camp. With an extension not in sight, it will come as no shock at this level if Lamb tried to train his leverage to assist work out a monster contract.
The Oklahoma product set a brand new franchise file for receivers in 2023 (135 catches, 1,749 yards, 14 whole touchdowns). That manufacturing earned him a 3rd straight Professional Bowl invitation together with first-team All-Professional honors. Lamb’s age and statistical output have him positioned to occupy a big portion of the Cowboys’ cap sheet for years to come back, however the identical is after all true for Prescott (whom the staff nonetheless hopes to increase this offseason) and Parsons (who’s now extension-eligible and can little doubt turn out to be one of many league’s highest-paid defenders on his subsequent pact).
As issues stand, the Cowboys are projected to have simply over $100M in cap house for the 2025 season. That determine will change dramatically over time, after all, particularly when readability emerges for all or any members of the Prescott-Lamb-Parsons trio. In Lamb’s case, it seems important progress will nonetheless must be made for a multi-year settlement to be hammered out.