The Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to contract extension talks these days, with players like Tyler Smith, Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, DaRon Bland, and others possibly pushing for a big deal soon.
The extension of CeeDee Lamb’s contract is one that might occur sooner rather than later.
Though Cowboys general manager and owner Jerry Jones stated that there is “not necessarily” a hierarchy to which team’s receiver extensions are completed, locking down Lamb before other receiver stars like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase could ultimately help the team’s payroll, which will be stretched thin trying to retain all of its young All-Pro talent.
Jones has frequently stated that large deals must match the value because they are comparable to paying many players out of salary cap space. In Lamb’s instance, determining that precise value may be difficult for all parties to agree upon, but Jones is certain that it is a decision he will want to make.
Jones stated on Tuesday, “He’s out there and he’s more valuable than anybody else.” “However, such valuable quality requires you to reconcile giving up four or five players in order to acquire him. That’s my main point here. Saying something is much easier stated than done.
After the transaction is completed, utilization is what determines how much value was gained. Lamb’s usage at the negotiating table is evident after he established team records for receptions (135) and receiving yards (1,749) in the previous season.
“Whoever has CeeDee, and I hope it’s us, they’re going to use him,” Jones stated. “You must. All you need to do is get that level of value from him. How far has he brought us? that he is able to handle the burden. We must remain focused.”