Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has stirred up a whirlwind of speculation surrounding wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's ongoing holdout. Lamb's absence from training camp has significant implications, both financially and for the team's roster strategy moving forward.
Every day Lamb misses comes with a hefty $40,000 fine, and the repercussions don't stop there. Lamb is also looking at a penalty of 1/18th of his base salary for each preseason game he skips. With a fully guaranteed $17.991 million salary this season, that means Lamb stands to lose approximately $999,500 for every exhibition game he doesn't attend. It's a precarious situation that has caught everyone’s attention, especially given Lamb’s recent move to remove Dallas Cowboys references from his social media bios.
Despite the mounting fines, the Dallas Cowboys do have the discretion to waive or reduce these penalties since Lamb remains on his rookie deal. Yet, this ongoing saga highlights a broader issue: Lamb's desire to be the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback.
The Drive for a New Deal
Lamb’s ambitions are not without precedent. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson recently inked a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings, averaging $35 million per year. Jefferson’s deal includes $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback, surpassing San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa. Bosa had previously signed a five-year, $170 million extension worth an average of $34 million per year.
With such landmark deals paving the way, Lamb's stance becomes more understandable. In 2023, Lamb racked up 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the league in receptions and ranked second in receiving yards, earning first-team All-Pro honors. Since the start of the 2022 regular season, Lamb leads the league with 242 receptions. It's a resume that demands attention and, in Lamb's view, significant financial compensation.
Jones Weighs In
Jerry Jones has not remained silent on the matter, emphasizing that there is a lack of urgency partly because their first regular-season game is still four weeks away. "He said that lack of urgency related to their first regular-season game being four weeks away," Jones reiterated. He also made a point of mentioning how much Lamb's presence is being missed, a subtle nudge that suggests the Cowboys recognize Lamb's value but are also playing a calculated waiting game.
The Cowboys’ approach to contracts seems consistent. Since the rookie wage scale was introduced in the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the franchise has leaned towards extending core players rather than relying on franchise tags. However, they prefer big-money extensions that are at least five years long. This strategy complicates negotiations, especially when other key players like linebacker Micah Parsons are also in line for future contract talks.
The Clock is Ticking
The significant date looming over these negotiations is August 22, when the Cowboys break training camp in Oxnard, California. While the back-and-forth continues, both sides face escalating pressure to find a middle ground. Lamb's aspirations and the Cowboys' rigid contract policies are at an impasse, and how this will unfold remains one of the most compelling stories heading into the new NFL season.
On one hand, Lamb is standing firm, seeking what he believes is a fair valuation of his contributions. On the other, the Cowboys’ calculated patience could either pay off with a timely resolution or risk a more entrenched standoff. As of now, all eyes remain fixed on Dallas, waiting to see if one of the league's top wide receivers will take the field at the start of the season or continue his holdout for the acknowledgment and payday he seeks.