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Cowboys News: Dak Prescott Addresses CeeDee Lamb Contract Holdout

June 6, 2024


The Dallas Cowboys are in a tricky situation right now with star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb did not show up for OTAs, and he has not shown up for mandatory minicamp.

Read more: Two NFL Stars Will Face Over $100,000 in Fines For Missing Mandatory Minicamp

He is now subject to fines totaling $101,716. The breakdown of fines for missing the minicamp is as follows: 1st day: $16,953; 2nd day: $33,908; 3rd day: $50,855. Lamb choosing to skip minicamp to obtain a new contract has now been addressed by quarterback Dak Prescott, who is also waiting for a well-deserved contract extension.

“Obviously CeeDee’s handling business,” Prescott said, via The Athletic’s Jon Machota. “Nobody’s more in his corner than I am, understanding that that’s his chess move and he’s got to do that. I know him, I know he’s been working. As I’ve said, I’ve thrown with him. He’s just fine.”

Machota also indicated that Prescott immediately called Lamb once the news of the Justin Jefferson record-breaking contract was revealed. The details of that conversation were not made public by Prescott.

The good news is that Prescott also said Lamb has been staying in shape and ready. Reports have also indicated that talks between the Cowboys and Lamb are happening, though there are no details about how far along those talks are.

Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates with CeeDee Lamb #88 after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on December 10,…


Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

The Vikings made Jefferson the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL when they awarded him a four-year $140 million deal, which equates to $35 million annually. Even more impressive is he is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.

The Cowboys and Lamb were likely unsure about the figure he should get considering his 2023 season resulted in 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lamb was 50 yards shy and one touchdown away from tying the league leader in Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Lamb has eclipsed 1,000 yards in the past three seasons with 1,102 in 2021, 1,359 in 2022, and 1,749 in 2023. His touchdown count has also gone up exponentially with six touchdowns in 2021, nine touchdowns in 2022, and 12 in 2023.

Lamb continues to showcase his elite skill and it would be hard to argue that he isn’t one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He clearly knows his worth and is willing to eat some money to ensure he gets a long-term deal that pays him over $30 million annually.

While Jefferson is at $35 million a year, Eagles star A.J. Brown also signed an extension in April that pays him $32 million per season. Lamb’s new extension should be somewhere in this range, and it wouldn’t even be such a surprise if the Cowboys decide to reset the wide receiver market by giving Lamb a contract that exceeds Jefferson’s.