Jerry Jones expresses optimism over contract talks with CeeDee Lamb as the Cowboys work to finalize a deal before the regular season. Lamb’s availability for Week 1 looks promising.
Bollywood Fever: A new deal for CeeDee Lamb appears more likely from the perspective of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who hinted at progress in contract negotiations with the star receiver. Lamb, who was absent from training camp due to stalled talks, may soon find common ground with the Cowboys.
Jones shared on Tuesday that the gap between the team and Lamb is narrowing, offering hope that the receiver will be ready for the start of the regular season on September 8 against Cleveland. “Well, I think I am, and when I say that, it doesn’t sound too promising. The facts are that I believe we’ll come together. I don’t want to speak for him. That’s what I’m trying not to do. But we wouldn’t have offered him what we’ve offered him if we didn’t want him to be here,” Jones stated.
While neither side has disclosed the financial details of Lamb’s contract demands, there is speculation about whether he will approach the $35 million annually that the Vikings are paying All-Pro Justin Jefferson.
In addition to Lamb’s situation, the Cowboys are also engaged in contract talks with quarterback Dak Prescott, who is in the final year of his $140 million deal. The team cannot retain Prescott with the franchise tag unless they finalize a new contract to keep him beyond 2025.
Jones reassured fans that discussions with Prescott are ongoing and emphasized that existing contracts often lead to talks even before they expire. “One of the things that I’d like for the fans to really understand is that nine times out of 10, these are existing (deals) you have in place,” Jones explained. “And you should be able to operate under those, but we’ve gotten it now in the NFL, other teams are dealing with it too, where with time left on the contract, you still might have a contract discussion. … None of us, players or teams, want it to hurt the preparation or the likelihood of playing at your best opening day.”
Jones caused some confusion earlier when he mentioned there was no urgency to sign Lamb, later clarifying that the Cowboys’ confidence in Lamb’s abilities reduced the pressure to rush the contract, particularly given the limited need to play him in preseason games.
Lamb would have just over two weeks to prepare for Week 1 if the deal is finalized, but new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer believes that’s sufficient for the 25-year-old. “CeeDee’s going to be ready. Again, if the system was different, that always adds different challenges. He knows what we do. He and Dak have what I would say are 1,000 or 10,000 banked reps together. And one thing I know about him is he’s staying ready,” Schottenheimer said last week. “A younger player, (there would be worry) because the system is new or different. … There’s wrinkles that he’ll have to pick up on, but his football intelligence is unbelievable.”
Lamb is coming off a record-setting season in which he recorded 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, solidifying his importance to the Cowboys’ offense.
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