CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott replace: Jerry Jones says Cowboys will 'come collectively' with WR, nonetheless engaged on QB

Beneath three weeks stay, 18 days to be precise, between Wednesday and the Dallas Cowboys‘ 2024 NFL common season opener on Sept. 8 on the Cleveland Browns.

Each 2023 First Staff All-Professional huge receiver CeeDee Lamb, who led the league with 135 catches final season, and 2023 Second Staff All-Professional quarterback Dak Prescott, who led the NFL with 36 landing passes, are set to enter the ultimate season of their present contracts in 2024. Lamb, 25, is on the final yr of his rookie deal, which is why he has held out of Dallas’ total offseason program till he receives a second NFL contract, one which would supply him long-term monetary safety. 

Cowboys proprietor and common supervisor Jerry Jones supplied an upbeat replace on negotiations with Lamb, whose contractual market has been solidified after 2020 NFL Draft classmate and fellow huge receiver Justin Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings that included $110 million assured. 

“We’re in fine condition there. We’re having good talks,” Jones said, via The Athletic, on Tuesday when requested about negotiations with Lamb. “I feel I’m [optimistic]. And after I say that, it does not sound too promising. The info are that I imagine we’ll come collectively. I do not wish to converse for him. That is what I am attempting to not do. However we would not have provided him what we have provided him if we did not need him to be right here.”

Final week, Jones and the Cowboys entrance workplace reportedly provided Lamb “slightly under $33 million per season.” That may slot him in below Jefferson because the second-highest-paid huge receiver within the NFL behind Jefferson, barely in entrance of Philadelphia Eagles huge receiver A.J. Brown ($32 million common per yr).

As for Prescott, his scenario appears to be a bit extra murky regardless of him exhibiting up for the whole thing of the Cowboys’ offseason program. The quarterback, who turned 31 this offseason, is coming into the ultimate season of a four-year, $160 million contract that incorporates each a no-franchise-tag clause and a no-trade clause. Which means Prescott will be capable of enter free company unrestricted subsequent offseason if the 2 sides do not attain a deal, which may probably plunge the Cowboys franchise right into a world of uncertainty. Again in July, Prescott mentioned his mind flips to in-season mode on Day 1 of training camp. Jones echoed that sentiment this week, casting doubt about his quarterback’s extension getting finished earlier than the beginning of the 2024 season.

“Properly once more, we’re simply persevering with to speak,” Jones said, via DallasCowboys.com, on Tuesday when requested about negotiations with Prescott. “The factor is there, since we’re actually in-season, training, doing all these issues, we’re working below the present contract actually good. One of many issues that the followers ought to actually perceive is that 9 occasions out of 10, these are current contracts that you’ve got in place. It’s best to be capable of function below these, however we have gotten it now within the NFL — different groups are coping with it — with a while on the contract, you continue to may need a contract dialogue. And that is what we’re doing. None of us — participant or staff — wish to damage the preparation or probability of enjoying at your greatest.”