Like a number of other players around the league, CeeDee Lamb is currently away from his team with a new deal forthcoming. The Cowboys’ record-breaking wideout is on track to miss OTAs with no extension in hand. 
Lamb is set to earn $17.99MM in 2024 while playing on his fifth-year option. A multi-year pact will check in at a much larger price tag, as he is one of a few wideouts expected to reach the $30MM-per-year mark on an extension. The 25-year-old, along with Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals) could each reach that plateau at any time this offseason.
Quarterback Dak Prescott and edge rusher Micah Parsons are also in line for monster deals in the near future, though, and Dallas’ cap outlook will change dramatically regardless of how their financial futures are handled. With respect to Prescott and Lamb (who, unlike Parsons, are pending free agents), owner Jerry Jones has endorsed a patient approach while evaluating other teams’ investments around the league.
Presuming that remains the case, Lamb will likely proceed without a deal for the time being. Indeed, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News writes the expectation remains an agreement will be worked out this offseason, although one may not be finalized until the summer. It was not until July or August that many of the Cowboys’ top contractual situations were dealt with last offseason.
Extensions for the likes of cornerback Trevon Diggs, safety Malik Hooker and right tackle Terence Steele all came about last summer. That was also the time at which a restructure was worked out with right guard Zack Martin, ending his training camp holdout. All parties will no doubt look to avoid a repeat of that situation in Lamb’s case, but pressure will likely not ramp up on Dallas if and until he skips out on mandatory minicamp in June and/or training camp one month later.
“It doesn’t matter right now,” Cowboys OC Brian Schottenheimer said of Lamb’s absence during voluntary workouts (via Gehlken). “CeeDee’s a pro. He’s going to know what to do. I know Dak and the guys have some communication with him. We know he’s taking care of business, and when he gets back here, we’ll certainly be able to find ways to get him the ball.”
Lamb led the NFL in receptions last season (135), posting 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. Those career-high numbers put him the Cowboys’ record books and upped his market value on an extension. Tyreek Hill‘s standout Dolphins accord – which carries a $30MM AAV based in part on a backloaded final season of non-guaranteed money – has recently been surpassed by Amon-Ra St. Brown and A.J. Brown‘s deals with the Lions and Eagles, respectively. Whether or not Lamb joins them atop the WR market (and the process by which he gets there) will remain a key Cowboys storyline.
The sun rises in the east, gravity pulls down, and the Cowboys make life harder on themselves by waiting to extend their core players.
you forgot about water … it’s wet
I’ll have that one locked and loaded when the Cowboys go through this again with Parsons next year.
OTAs should be renamed HOOTAs…..Holding Out of Team Activities.
It’s rather amusing when an owner in his 80s advocates a “patient approach”. Perhaps Jerry Jones has a secret strategy for living to 100.
Holding out is the player’s only move. Does it really matter how much the Cowboys offer in a “contract”? They will just cut him and not pay most of it anyway when they decide they don’t want to honor the “contract”. Worst part of the NFL is the stupid non-guaranteed money in “contracts”. The system is set up for players to hold out when they have outplayed their current deal, and for teams to not honor the commitment whenever they feel like it. This will never end until a contract means a contract. There is no such thing as a hold out in MLB.
IMO Dak and Parsons should be traded in a Herchel Walker type trade. Cowboys need to start over
Another Good player the Cowboys are going to end up paying like a Great player. That kind of conundrum is always the reason they can’t get over the playoff hump.
You must not watch much football then. Ceedee is easily a top 5 WR in the league. You don’t just stumble your way into 135 catches.
Due to Dak and Michah Parsons, the Cowboys can’t afford to pay Lamb what is the current price tag for a super star receiver. They should be taking offers for Lamb while they can.