As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for the upcoming season, contract extension negotiations with star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb appear to be at a stalemate.
Lamb has been discussing a contract extension with the Cowboys for the entirety of the offseason and recently opted against participating in the team’s training camp before the 2024 season, a move fairly common by players looking to avoid injury during negotiations.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Cowboys’ current offer is slightly below the yearly average of $33 million. However, the franchise expects Lamb to be back with the team before the beginning of the regular season.
The two sides have reportedly remained in close contact during this negotiation process and met earlier this week to continue discussing the terms of a new deal, despite the Cowboys still offering Lamb a contract under the $33 million average, per The Dallas Morning News.
A contract worth roughly $33 million a year would make Lamb the second-highest-paid receiver in the NFL, trailing behind only Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson with a yearly average of $35 million.
Lamb reportedly seeks slightly higher than $33 million annually but has not specified the exact number.
Additionally, Lamb wants different contract terms for the cash flow and guaranteed money attached to the deal. However, according to Fox Sports, the Cowboys’ response to these demands from Lamb has not been specified.
While Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones previously said he felt no urgency to complete a deal with Lamb, he added before the team’s preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders that the negotiations are difficult because “You never know” what the other side is pursuing.
“You have to get together and you have to get together on a number. I don’t know a number and he doesn’t know a number. We’ve gotta get that done,” he explained, per SB Nation’s RJ Ochoa.
Luckily, the Cowboys still have time to complete the deal before the beginning of the regular season.
Dallas will play the Los Angeles Chargers next week in the third and final preseason game of the year before traveling to Cleveland to play the Browns in the regular season opener on September 8 at 3:25 p.m.