Cowboys Poised for Season Amid Contract Uncertainty
As the Dallas Cowboys conclude their training camp and prepare to return to Texas, the looming contracts of key players Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb remain unresolved. Despite the uncertainty, team executives Jerry and Stephen Jones have expressed a firm intention to retain both stars, signaling ongoing negotiations as the season approaches.
Prescott, who led the NFL in passing touchdowns in 2023 with 36, and Lamb, a first-team All-Pro wide receiver who topped the league with 135 receptions, are crucial elements in the Cowboys' high-powered offense. The urgency to secure long-term extensions for both players has sparked significant speculation among fans and analysts alike.
"We're in good shape there. We're having good talks," Jerry Jones stated, reflecting his cautious optimism about reaching agreements with both Prescott and Lamb. "The facts are that I believe we'll come together."
This optimism, however, is tempered by the complexities of NFL contract negotiations. Prescott's current four-year, $160 million deal includes both a no-franchise tag clause and a no-trade clause, complicating matters. Prescott has entrusted the negotiations to his agent, Todd France, allowing him to focus on the upcoming season. "For the most part, for me as y'all know, I let my agent do that," Prescott mentioned. "My mind flips to obviously helping my team and just doing everything I can within the organization and on the football field to make sure that I'm my best."
Lamb's situation is similarly nuanced. Having held out from the Cowboys' offseason program, he is keen to secure a deal beyond the final year of his rookie contract in 2024. Jones has reportedly offered Lamb a contract that would make him the second-highest-paid wide receiver on an annual basis, reflecting the team's high regard for his talents. While the exact figures haven't been disclosed, the benchmark was set by Justin Jefferson, who earlier this offseason signed a four-year, $135 million extension with $110 million guaranteed.
Jones emphasized the rationale behind the offer made to Lamb: "We wouldn't have offered him what we've offered him if we didn't want him to be here."
Head Coach Mike McCarthy remains focused on the practical aspects of incorporating Lamb back into the team's operations. "We're going to ramp up and get the wrinkles," McCarthy explained, highlighting the need for Lamb to get some reps to ensure seamless communication on the field.
The Cowboys' preparations for the season are further underscored by their strong performance last season. They led the NFL in scoring, averaging 29.9 points per game. 2023 also marked McCarthy's first as the offensive play-caller, a role in which he evidently thrived given the team's offensive output.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys are set to face a formidable opponent in Week 1, the Cleveland Browns. The Browns boasted the NFL’s leading total defense in 2023, allowing just 270.2 total yards per game, anchored by Myles Garrett, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
The Cowboys will host a training camp practice at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on Aug. 27, followed by a season kickoff ceremony on Aug. 28. These events are set to galvanize both players and fans alike as they gear up for what promises to be a pivotal season.
Jerry Jones captured the sentiment surrounding the contract discussions and the impending season: "One of the things that the fans should really understand is that nine times out of 10, these are existing contracts that you have in place. You should be able to operate under those...but we've gotten it now in the NFL...with some time on the contract, you still might have a contract discussion. And that's what we're doing."
With the clock ticking down to the opening game and contract talks intensifying, the Cowboys are walking a tightrope between maintaining current team chemistry and securing the future of two of their most pivotal players. For now, Prescott and Lamb’s focus remains on the field, but their contract situations are a narrative that will continue to unfold as the season progresses.