Trade Update: Cowboys New $33 Million Offer Sparks Optimism
It does seem like the CeeDee Lamb contract situation has been dragging on, but it’s encouraging that there are new reports suggesting a resolution might be near. Contract negotiations can often be a drawn-out process, especially for high-profile players. It’s a positive sign that discussions are still ongoing, even if Lamb is holding out from physically participating. Hopefully, the two sides can reach an agreement soon.
The clock is ticking, so it makes sense for Dallas to be extremely aggressive here.
The truth is that CeeDee Lamb is too good not to extend, and the Cowboys front staff is aware of this, despite their media antics.
Again, it appears that recent reporting supports that idea, so let us discuss what these stories precisely indicate.
Sources: Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb, who has been unable to land the type of contract extension that other wide receivers have, is not expected to report to training camp Wednesday with the rest of his team. Lamb is entering the last year of a deal scheduled to pay him $17.99 million… pic.twitter.com/lK5B64X65o
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2024
Offer Increased to Nearly $33M
Calvin Watson of the Dallas Morning News reported yesterday on the most recent Lamb-extension moves, which appear to be promising.
Watson stated that the two sides communicated as recently as Thursday night, and that during that conversation, the Cowboys increased their offer to little under $33 million per year.
That is a substantial figure, to say the least.
Lamb would become football’s second highest-paid wide receiver, trailing only Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson.
The #DallasCowboys are offering star WR CeeDee Lamb a new deal slightly under $33M per year, per @calvinwatkins.
The current offer would make Lamb the NFL’s second highest paid WR behind Justin Jefferson ($35M apy).
The Cowboys spoke to Lamb’s reps on Thursday, per Watkins. pic.twitter.com/LwBWvfQT41
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) August 16, 2024
Unlike some contract conflicts, we have never had a strong understanding of Lamb’s demands.
We don’t know how far apart they still are.
However, it is vital to remember that Watkins’ story was not the first one to surface in the last day regarding Lamb.
PrettyRickey213, an X user and top-tier source on NFL news this offseason, doubled down on his prior reporting, saying he “reported earlier this week that the Cowboys latest offer was $33.5 million.”
He went on to elaborate: “With last night’s meeting, it sounds like both sides are close to ending CeeDee’s holdout.”
Rickey reported earlier this week that the #Cowboys latest offer was $33.5 million. With last night's meeting, it sounds like both sides are close to ending CeeDee's holdout 💿 🐑 https://t.co/NAwFC6yYHk
— Rickey (@prettyrickey213) August 16, 2024
Now, I’m not going to advise you whether to believe a social media source like this one, but you should be aware that he has nailed a slew of stories this offseason much ahead of more “traditional” outlets.
Furthermore, if he is correct that Dallas is at $33.5, the CeeDee Lamb camp is only $1.5 million away from receiving precisely what Jefferson received, which could be their goal.
With that, and Clarence Hill’s Wednesday claim that the parties are “optimistic,” it appears that things may be close after all, but who will yield first?
Lamb Still Holds the Leverage
CeeDee has showed us over the last few months that he is dead serious about his holdout.
Don’t expect him to cave and rejoin the team until a compromise is achieved, no matter how long it takes.
I applaud him for it; with 1,700 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, he has earned the right to wait till Jerry and Stephen Jones return home with a blank cheque and a pen for him.
CeeDee Lamb WR Ranks
Rank
Receptions 122 1st
Targets 168 1st
Receiving Yards 1,651 2nd
Scrimmage Yards 1,757 1st
Touchdowns 12 t-2nd pic.twitter.com/oy8eK815eb— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 2, 2024
He will be a free agent after this season. If he leaves, so will the Cowboys’ chances of offensive success.
Because of his youth, the Jefferson deal, and his upcoming free agency, he has complete control. That much does not change.
All of this argument is due to the Jones-led front office, not Lamb.
They have demonstrated little to no urgency in extending their top performers.
Of course, we watched this reality play out on social media after Jones reaffirmed it, and CeeDee Lamb replied appropriately.
— CeeDee Lamb (@_CeeDeeThree) August 8, 2024
The front office’s backs are to the wall here. If you don’t extend Lamb, he will most likely go in free agency for nothing, or you raise his annual compensation to just $1.5-2M more than what you are now providing to close the deal.
I understand that increasing pay is not the Joneses’ favourite hobby, but it is sometimes necessary, and now is one of those instances.
Lamb should stick to his asking price and wait for Dallas to move.
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