To say it’s been a hectic week for the Dallas Cowboys would be an understatement. All that matters, though, is that they ended CeeDee Lamb’s holdout. Lamb has officially signed his blockbuster four-year extension and he was back on the practice field Tuesday.
It sounds like the Dallas Cowboys have had quite the rollercoaster with CeeDee Lamb’s contract situation, but it’s great to hear that he’s officially signed and back on the field. Given how crucial Lamb is to their offense, his return is definitely a huge relief for fans and the team alike.
Lamb’s confidence about playing a full complement of snaps in Week 1 is a positive sign, but you’re right to be concerned about his conditioning and injury risks. The lack of a full offseason can make it challenging to get up to game speed, and soft-tissue injuries are always a risk when players are ramping up their activity levels quickly.
The coaching staff will likely have a plan to integrate him back into the lineup while managing his workload to mitigate those risks. Hopefully, Lamb’s return will be smooth and he’ll be able to contribute at his usual high level right out of the gate.
Addressing the media for the first time in months, Lamb was adamant that he’ll play a full complement of snaps in Week 1. Being that Lamb signed so late and hasn’t practised all summer, fans are worried about his conditioning and the risk of a soft-tissue injury.
Lamb has quelled all concerns in that regard. He also studied film throughout his holdout, so two weeks should be plenty of time for him and Dak Prescott to revive their elite chemistry and get up to speed with any tweaks Mike McCarthy has made to the playbook.
Now that Lamb’s contract is signed and sealed, attention shifts toward whether the Cowboys can reach an agreement with Prescott on a new contract. Dallas has doubled and tripled down on their commitment to Dak, but Lamb wants the front office to put words into action.
Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb wants Jerry Jones to stop playing games and pay Dak Prescott
“You look at our numbers together, they’re at the top of the charts,” Lamb said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “I do not doubt that they’re gonna get a deal done. We all know that I want Dak here. Jerry wants Dak here too, so let’s just get this under control and kill the speculation.”
CeeDee Lamb’s recent comments and his influence on the ongoing contract negotiations highlight a significant shift in dynamics for the Dallas Cowboys. It’s clear that Lamb, now a cornerstone of the offense with his new deal, is using his position to push for a resolution on Dak Prescott’s contract situation. His public call for Jerry Jones to “stop playing games” and finalize a deal with Prescott underscores how critical Dak is to the team’s future success.
The fact that Lamb’s contract structure hints at Dallas preparing to make a move on Prescott suggests they’re aware of the urgency. With Lamb’s base salary jumping significantly in 2025, it seems the team is positioning itself financially to accommodate a major extension for Prescott. If they’re truly serious about maximizing their roster around Lamb, extending Prescott now would be a logical next step.
You’re right that letting Prescott play out the final year of his contract could be risky for the Cowboys. The closer Dak gets to free agency, the more leverage he’ll have, potentially driving up his asking price even further. By securing Prescott now, the Cowboys could avoid a bidding war and stabilize their quarterback situation, which would be crucial for maintaining their competitive edge.
Jerry Jones’ tendency to wait until the last minute might indeed drag this out, but given the stakes, it would be wise for him to act sooner rather than later. Lamb’s comments add another layer of pressure, making it clear that the team’s top players are watching and expecting the front office to follow through on their promises. The coming weeks should be interesting as negotiations continue and both sides work to finalize a deal.
Man, was Lamb missed or what? Hours after touching down in Dallas to sign his contract and he’s already telling Jones what to do. Somebody has to, right?
While Prescott and the Cowboys are entrenched in negotiations, the Jones family seems content letting the Pro Bowler play out the final year of his contract and resuming talks in the offseason. That would be a huge mistake. The closer Dak gets to free agency, the more money he is justified asking for.
Fortunately, a simple reading of the tea leaves indicates the Cowboys understand the urgency to extend Prescott. On one hand, it’s hard to imagine Dallas making Lamb the second-richest receiver in NFL history if they weren’t confident about who’d be getting him the ball.
Furthermore, the details of Lamb’s contract hint the Cowboys are working hard behind the scenes to sign Prescott before Week 1. Lamb’s base salary in 2024 is just $1.15 million before it skyrockets to $26.65 million in 2025. His cap number this season is $8.75 million before it climbs to $35.45 million next year.
With Lamb signed, the finances are now in place for Dallas to make Prescott the highest-paid quarterback in league history.
Jerry Jones loves waiting until the last-minute to pay his stars, so it wouldn’t surprise if this drags out into next year. Jones would be smart to his $136 million receiver. Already a prominent voice before his contract, Lamb’s words carry a lot more weight now.