Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones recently addressed his previous comments regarding star receiver CeeDee Lamb’s ongoing contract holdout.
“CeeDee, you’re missed, OK?” Jones stated before the Cowboys’ preseason opener, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein. “But you’re not missed out here competing, and (your absence) doesn’t put any pressure any place on us.”
Lamb has not reported to the Cowboys’ training camp as he seeks a contract extension. The 2023 first-team All-Pro is set to earn $17.9 million in the final year of his rookie contract as he enters his fifth season with the team. He is currently being fined $50,000 per day and is losing game checks for each preseason contest he misses, as reported by the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins.
Jones stirred controversy on Thursday when he remarked that he feels no “urgency” to secure a new deal for Lamb before the season begins. He emphasized that Lamb, like other veterans, would not have received significant playing time during the preseason regardless of the ongoing contract negotiations.
Should negotiations not conclude successfully, Lamb could become an unrestricted free agent next offseason. However, the Cowboys have the option to apply the franchise tag on the Oklahoma product over the next two years to retain his rights. The Cowboys remain hopeful of reaching an agreement with one of their key offensive players.
Additionally, quarterback Dak Prescott is also set to enter free agency next year, but a clause in his contract will prevent the Cowboys from using the franchise tag on him after the 2024 season.
In the 2023 season, Lamb achieved career highs with 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the NFL with 135 receptions.
