A report from one month ago indicated the Cowboys’ top priority with respect to their three pending monster extensions would be quarterback Dak Prescott. That came as no surprise, considering the market at that position compared to those of edge rushers and receivers.
Micah Parsons is on the books for two more years, so his contract status is less pressing than that of Prescott or CeeDee Lamb. The latter has been linked to a training camp holdout in the absence of an agreement, but progress on that front is on the team’s radar. Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports Lamb – not Prescott – is Dallas’ No. 1 financial priority at the moment.
Prescott is set to attend the beginning of training camp next week regardless of where things stand with respect to his extension. Lamb’s decision on that front has not been made, though, Watkins adds. The Oklahoma alum has been expected to engage in a holdout for quite some time, considering he skipped voluntary OTAs as well as mandatory minicamp during the spring. Missing practices this summer would result in daily fines, though by virtue of being attached to his fifth-year option Lamb could see those fines waived by the team.
Such a move would come after an extension agreement was to be worked out, and talks on big-ticket deal have long been known to be high on Dallas’ to-do list. Lamb is scheduled to earn $17.99M in 2024, but a long-term accord will come in at a much higher price tag. The top of the receiver market witnessed plenty of movement this spring, with Justin Jefferson attaining an average annual value of $35M on his Vikings extension (becoming the league’s top earner for non-QBs in the process). Cowboys owner Jerry Jones previously stated an intention of waiting on similar deals to fall into place before authorizing Lamb and/or Prescott pacts.
Earlier this week, Stephen Jones confirmed talks with Prescott’s camp are ongoing while maintaining the team’s stance on hoping to retain Lamb and Parsons as well. Keeping all three in the fold beyond 2024 will be difficult given the cap implications a new deal for each will have in the short- and long-term future. Lamb’s importance to the team’s offense cannot be understated, though, of course.
The 25-year-old broke franchise records in receptions (135) and yards (1,749) last season, leading the NFL in both categories. Veteran Brandin Cooks resides as Dallas’ No. 2 wideout, and the team has a number of relatively unproven options beyond him on the depth chart. Lamb’s willingness to attend training camp will remain a key story to follow in the coming days, but his stance in that regard will obviously change if a deal is struck shortly.
