The Philadelphia Eagles only made things even more difficult for the Dallas Cowboys at the negotiating table.
The Dallas Cowboys were one of the least active teams all offseason. They haven’t signed a major contract and have seen some of the team’s key players leave town, but they still haven’t signed some of their key players to big contracts. Meanwhile, the division rival Philadelphia Eagles have made a number of moves to improve their roster this offseason. Things continued on April 15th, when the Eagles and wide receiver DeVonta Smith agreed to a three-year, $75 million contract extension with $51 million guaranteed. This huge contract will make things even more difficult for the Cowboys.
The Eagles addressed key players on offense while the Cowboys watched. Dallas has their own playmaker in WR CeeDee Lamb, and they need to remove him. After four years in the NFL, Lamb has asked for an extension, which he hopes to take advantage of. The Cowboys began voluntary offseason workouts on April 15, but the three-time Pro Bowler will not participate.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Lamb has no plans to come to the facility for voluntary training as he is awaiting a new contract. Lamb wants to be one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, and a contract like Smith’s would only drive up the asking price. Prior to Smith’s deal, only four wide receivers in the NFL averaged more than $25 million a season. This deal doesn’t change the absolute top of the market (Tyreek Hill is still No. 1 at $30 million per year), but it does give a player like Smith, who is good but isn’t even in the top 10, one shot. Despite having $25 million per contract, the Rams’ agent will have significant negotiating ammunition.
Jerry Jones and the Cowboys will have their hands full with the futures of Lamb, Dak Prescott, and Micah Parsons in flux, and it really hurts for a division rival to make things even more difficult.
CeeDee Lamb and Cowboys Reportedly ‘Not Close’ on New Contract
The 25-year-old star wide receiver likely won’t be at any Dallas practices or workouts any time soon.
One of the biggest stories this offseason for the Dallas Cowboys has been CeeDee Lamb’s potential extension (or lack thereof). The Cowboys, who said that they were “all in” for 2024 have done little to support that notion as they haven’t made a ton of splash signings in free agency and haven’t handed out new deals to Dak Prescott or Lamb.
The clock is ticking for the Cowboys to give Lamb a new deal as the Eagles inked wide receiver DeVonta Smith to a three-year, $75 million extension, while Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are on the cusp of receiving huge paydays. On Monday, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported that “barring an extension that, when complete, is expected to make Lamb the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history, he appears intent on not participating in a Cowboys practice or workout.”
If that news wasn’t worrisome for Cowboys fans, the two sides are reportedly far apart in talks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Monday that the Cowboys may not see Lamb until he gets a contract extension. But Schefter added that the team is ready and willing to pay him (RJ Ochoa of Blog the Boys).
He also said, “Currently, the two sides are not close to a long-term agreement. Until that happens, CeeDee Lamb intends to distance itself.”
This latest news from NFL Insider comes as no surprise. Because it’s almost standard procedure for players to sit out or miss voluntary training in order to get a deal done. Lamb will receive a paycheck from the Cowboys in 2023 after a great season. Last season, the former first-round pick had 135 receptions (181 targets) for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lamb is one of the most dynamic wide receivers in the league, making the Cowboys a contender in the NFC East, so Dallas can’t afford to let him think about free agency.
