As the calendar flips pages from May to June, the year 2024 seems to be flying by.
The Dallas Cowboys and the rest of the NFL are in the middle of preparing for the new season. Veterans are getting back into the swing of things and rookies are getting acclimated to their new surroundings.
Their 2024 draft class is in attendance and all accounted for but the same can't be said for their veterans.
There are two impactful players who, so far, have decided not to join the team in OTAs. I know, Darren Hambrick would say “What do voluntary mean?” but a couple of superstars not showing up to be with the team is major.
WR CeeDee Lamb has not yet arrived, and EDGE Micah Parsons showed up for one practice, only to decide he didn't want to show up for any more voluntary workouts.
For a team that looked so discombobulated in an embarrassing 16-point loss at home to the 7th-seeded Green Bay Packers, you'd think all players would be eager to return and begin work to avenge that loss.
Sometimes business gets in the way of things we all think players should do. And I know OTAs are voluntary, but HC Mike McCarthy could have fooled us with his comments about Parsons' absence.
McCarthy used politically correct words, but the undertone was one of anger and frustration at his best defensive player deciding to stay away from the team after showing his face for one practice.
While Parsons' absence isn't contract-related, stalled negotiations are what is keeping Lamb away, and Dak Prescott could use the same excuse but the leader of the team has put on his bravest face.
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CeeDee Lamb
The 2023 season showed the world that Cedarian Lamb has fully arrived and is here to stay as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.
Lamb set Cowboys' single-season franchise records for receptions (135) and yards (1,749) on his way to his first 1st-team All-Pro selection.
The Cowboys could have extended Lamb last season after his third consecutive season of improvement and Lamb's 2022 season proved to be just a stepping stone to his ascension into a superstar.
Dallas gambled and lost with his contract, and now they have to pony up what many predict to be over $30 million annually.
By now you know that Lamb and Vikings' star WR Justin Jefferson don't share the same agent, but their agents work for the same agency. They are both waiting to see what contract the other gets, but both are at a stalemate.
The problem is other teams are handing out deals to their wide receivers, driving up the market price with each signature.
Miami's Jaylen Waddle is the latest to sign, inking a 3yr/$84.75 million dollar deal averaging over $28 million per season.
At this rate, we can expect Lamb to receive anywhere from $32 million to $35 million annually. Where he falls in that range depends on how long the Cowboys take to extend him.
When it comes to these negotiations, there are only two parties directly involved (the player and agent versus the team), but outside factors also come into play.
Contract negotiations for players near the top of their position in regard to talent are always difficult due to other factors like other players getting paid.
Here is a rundown of other wide receivers who have received new contracts that directly affect Lamb's negotiations.
Amon Ra St. Brown, DET (4yr/$120 million)
AJ Brown, PHI (3yr/$96 million)
Calvin Ridley, TEN (4yr/$92 million)
Jaylen Waddle, MIA (3yr/$84.75 million)
Devonta Smith, PHI (3yr/$75 million)
With every wide receiver contract signed, Cowboys Nation collectively groans. We all know Lamb's price will continue to climb until his name is on the dotted line.
Despite the value of the quarterback position, the Cowboys should sign CeeDee Lamb before they extend their quarterback.
