NFL analyst predicts Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb unlikely to play without contract extension

The upcoming NFL season has some uncertainty looming over the Dallas Cowboys’ star wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, as contract negotiations have hit a standstill.

Lamb is entering 2024 under his fifth-year option; reportedly, he has no intentions of stepping onto the field without a long-term deal in place, despite being committal for the Cowboys. ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently shed light on the situation, indicating that the Cowboys may not see Lamb until a contract extension is secured. 

“The Dallas Cowboys may not see CeeDee Lamb again until he gets his [contract extension]. And again this is something the Cowboys have been prepared for, planned for, they know they have to pay him, they want to pay him. But the two sides right now are not close to getting a long-term deal done and while they’re not CeeDee Lamb will stay away,” Schefter said. 

Lamb, who garnered praise from Dak Prescott last season, is undeniably one of the best athletes in the NFL. However, the unresolved contract discussions have put the Cowboys in a difficult position as their vet player remained quick to share his determination to skip the team’s first Phase workouts.

As it stands, the elite Cowboys player is set to earn $17.88 million in 2024, the final year of his existing deal. Spotrac estimates his market value at a staggering $28.8 million annually for a four-year deal, ranking him second in his position.

CeeDee Lamb is absent from Cowboys’ voluntary workouts amid contract dispute

As the Cowboys kicked off their voluntary NFL offseason program on Monday, Cee Dee Lamb remained determined in his contract extension resolution. With his future in Dallas hanging in the balance, Lamb revealed his stance on a potential contract extension.

Meanwhile, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, speaking at the annual owners’ meetings in late March, didn’t offer a clear commitment to securing Lamb’s long-term future with the team. Jones acknowledged Lamb’s value but emphasized the complexity of reaching a deal that benefits both parties.

“He’s out there, and he’s more valuable than anybody else. But that valuable, to have to give up four or five players to have him, you have to get that reconciled. That’s what I’m trying to say. It’s a lot quicker and easier said than done,” Jones said, per SI.

Without a resolution to his contract situation, there is a real possibility that the Cowboys could lose Lamb to free agency.