There’s a big absence at The Star as the Cowboys go through a key portion of OTAs. After all, can all the 11-on-11 drills be meaningful if CeeDee Lamb isn’t on the field?
The All Pro wide receiver is skipping the organized team activities as he seeks a new contract. After all, when it comes to negotiations, absence truly can make the heart grow fonder. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott certainly misses Lamb and the vibe he brings to the field.
Let Prescott explain. “That’s my guy,” the Cowboys told reporters this week. “Not many more people out there, more swaggier, cooler, better player, than that guy.
“So obviously you’re gonna miss him, miss having him around. But I’ve been in this situation, it’s business, business is business. He’s got my support and pretty much everybody in this locker room. I know locker room support and so it’s part of it. Hopefully, he’ll get all his and everything he deserves and is worth.”
Prescott, instead, will get better acquainted with the receivers who are there with him at The Star. Maybe he’ll note others have similar swag.
back at it 👏👏👏#DallasCowboys | @Invisalign pic.twitter.com/IxofUaR4RF
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) May 22, 2024
Cowboys may need to pay Lamb a big check
Plus, it could be a long wait for Lamb. As of this week, the negotiations had yet to start. That’s according to the Dallas Morning News. Lamb, the Cowboys first rounder in 2020, still has a year left on his rookie deal. He wants at least $30 million. He’s set to make $17.9 million. It’s a nice check, but Lamb broke the Cowboys team record for catches last year. What’s that worth?
And the $30 million club for NFL receivers is starting to get less exclusive as salaries start to grow more lucrative. Tyreek Hill of the Dolphins was the first to cross the $30 mil mark. Then this off season, A.J. Brown (Eagles) got a $32 million a year while Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions) landed $30 million.
No doubt, the salary figure will stretch more before the start of the season. Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson also no-showed OTAs in Minnesota. He’s looking for a new deal and he may command as much as three years for $100 million.
And let’s not stop with Jefferson. Brandon Auyik with the 49ers and Tee Higgins (Bengals) also want better contracts.
Now, back to The Star. The Cowboys will use Lamb’s absence to get less experienced receivers more time with Prescott. Plus, Trey Lance and Cooper Rush are vying to be Prescott’s backup. Receivers like Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks and Ryan Flournoy will get lots of looks.
“At the end of the day, we’re going to have to count on one of these guys who’s getting some of the reps that CeeDee would,” Prescott told reporters. “I think that’s the important part for these guys to understand that these are real reps.”
