The Dallas Cowboys are gearing up for the conclusion of their training camp as they prepare to return to Texas. With a training camp practice scheduled at The Star in Frisco on August 27, and a season kickoff ceremony the following day, the anticipation for the upcoming season is palpable. However, much of the focus has remained on the contract situations surrounding key players Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.
Contract Talks in the Spotlight
Both Prescott, the star quarterback, and Lamb, the standout wide receiver, have yet to secure long-term extensions. Team owner Jerry Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones have been transparent about their desire to retain both players. "We're in good shape there. We're having good talks. I think I am [optimistic]," Jerry Jones said. He added, "The facts are that I believe we'll come together."
Lamb, named a first-team All-Pro wide receiver for the 2023 season, led the league with 135 receptions during the same period. His performance hasn't gone unnoticed, and the Cowboys have extended an offer that would position him as the second-highest paid wide receiver based on average annual salary. This comes in the wake of Justin Jefferson's market-setting four-year, $135 million extension with $110 million guaranteed.
Lamb’s Holdout
Despite these offers, Lamb has held out from the Cowboys' offseason program, seeking a contract extension beyond the final year of his rookie deal, which concludes in 2024. "We wouldn't have offered him what we've offered him if we didn't want him to be here," Jerry Jones emphasized. This assertion underscores the Cowboys’ commitment to securing the 2023 NFL receptions leader, amid growing speculation about whether a deal will be finalized before the season commences.
Prescott's Negotiations
In the case of Dak Prescott, he has also left contract negotiations largely to his agent, Todd France. "There's been conversations back and forth, but for the most part for me, as y'all know, I let my agent do that," Prescott noted. The quarterback, who led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes in 2023, is currently playing under a four-year, $160 million contract that includes a no-franchise tag and no-trade clause.
Despite the ongoing contract discussions, Prescott remains focused on the upcoming season. "Day 1 of training camp, my mind flips to obviously helping my team and just doing everything I can within the organization and on the football field to make sure that I'm my best and everyone around me is their best," he said. "The money and all that will take care of itself as it always has."
Cowboys' Offense and Tough First Challenge
Prescott and Lamb, along with the rest of the Cowboys offense, will face a significant test right out of the gate when they match up against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. The Browns boasted the NFL's top defense in 2023, allowing just 270.2 total yards per game. Defensive end Myles Garrett earned the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award for his exceptional performance last season.
The Cowboys, however, were also formidable, leading the league with an average of 29.9 points per game. 2023 also marked head coach Mike McCarthy's first season as the Cowboys' offensive play-caller. McCarthy talked about the readiness needed for the upcoming season. "We're going to ramp up and get the wrinkles; there's always going to be some new wrinkles that I'm sure he's in tune with from a communication standpoint, but he's going to need some reps. Yeah, we'll get that done," he said.
Looking Ahead
As the Cowboys wrap up their training camp and head back to Texas, much of the team's potential success for the 2023 season hinges on resolving these contract situations. Both Prescott and Lamb are integral to the Cowboys' high-scoring offense, and securing their futures would undoubtedly provide a significant boost to the team’s morale and on-field performance. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the August 27 practice and August 28 season kickoff ceremony approach, signaling the dawn of another promising season for the Dallas Cowboys.