Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed optimism regarding ongoing discussions with wide receiver CeeDee Lamb about a long-term contract extension.
The talks come as Lamb continues to hold out of training camp, seeking a new deal after an impressive 2023 season, where he recorded 135 receptions, 1,749 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns, earning a first-team All-Pro selection.
“I don’t mean that to be insensitive to our fans or to CeeDee, but we’re in good shape there, and we are having promising talks,” Jones said Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. “You say, ‘Well, why do you keep talking? Why don’t you do something?’ Again, as in anything, it takes both of you there at the same time.”
Jones emphasized the importance of the ongoing negotiations, stating, “But I believe it’s got the proper amount of everything – emphasis, importance – for everybody involved here, and we’ll see how it goes.”
The Cowboys reportedly offered Lamb a contract with an average annual salary of just under $33 million, which would make him the second-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL, trailing only Justin Jefferson, who earns $35 million annually. Despite the holdout, Jones remains hopeful that Lamb will rejoin the team soon. “We wouldn’t have offered him what we’ve offered him if we didn’t want him to be here,” Jones added.
On August 8, Jones made headlines for stating there was no urgency to sign Lamb to a new deal, but he later clarified his comments, acknowledging that Lamb is “missed” at training camp. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, despite the stalled negotiations, both parties are expected to reach an agreement before the Cowboys’ Week 1 game on September 8.
In addition to Lamb’s contract situation, the Cowboys have yet to secure an extension for star quarterback Dak Prescott as he approaches the final year of his contract.
