Lamb's Holdout Adds Pressure on Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones finds himself at the center of a growing controversy as star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb continues his high-profile holdout. Lamb, aiming to become the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback, has already started facing substantial financial repercussions.
As it stands, Lamb incurs a $40,000 fine for each day missed. Additionally, for every preseason game he skips, he faces a penalty of 1/18th of his fully guaranteed $17.991 million base salary, translating to approximately $999,500 per game. Lamb has even removed all Dallas Cowboys references from his social media bios, fueling speculation about his long-term future with the team.
The implications of Lamb's absence extend beyond just financial penalties. Jones downplayed the urgency of Lamb’s return, citing the fact that their first regular-season game is still four weeks away. Yet, he acknowledged the wide receiver's absence, remarking, “Jones also made a point of mentioning that Lamb was missed.”
While the Cowboys have the authority to waive or reduce Lamb’s fines since he is still on his rookie deal, the standoff remains tense. Lamb, fresh off a stellar season with 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, led the league in receptions and ranked second in receiving yards. His performance earned him a spot on the first-team All-Pro and left him leading the league with 242 receptions since the start of the 2022 regular season.
Lamb's ambition to be the highest-paid non-quarterback puts him in direct competition with Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson recently signed a four-year, $140 million extension, averaging $35 million per year with $110 million in total guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing. This deal edged out San Francisco 49ers’ edge rusher Nick Bosa, who signed a five-year, $170 million extension worth an average of $34 million per year.
Such lucrative contracts inevitably complicate the Cowboys’ strategy. With other key players like Micah Parsons due for future contract negotiations, the team's preference for big-money extensions lasting at least five years must be carefully managed. Since the introduction of the rookie wage scale in the 2011 CBA, the Cowboys have focused on extending core players rather than utilizing franchise tags.
The significant date for the Cowboys looms on August 22 when the team concludes training camp in Oxnard, California. Whether Lamb's holdout will be resolved by then remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the clock is ticking, and the financial stakes are high for both player and team.
Stephen Jones also weighed in on the holdout, amplifying the internal tensions. “Lamb desires to be the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback,” he commented, encapsulating the core issue at hand.
As the holdout continues, Dallas Cowboys fans and analysts alike await the resolution of a standoff that could redefine contractual standards and ripple through the entire franchise. Both Jones and Lamb have significant decisions to make, and these next few weeks will likely shape the Cowboys’ trajectory for the upcoming season and beyond.