Cowboys Rumors: Updates on CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott at Minicamp amid Contract Buzz

CeeDee Lamb’s decision to skip offseason activities thus far as he seeks a new contract isn’t a concern for the Dallas Cowboys.

Per ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys “are not worried” that Lamb’s absence will have any impact on his production when the regular season begins in September.

Per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Dak Prescott is expected to attend the Cowboys’ three-day mandatory minicamp that starts on Tuesday. It’s unclear if either Lamb or Micah Parsons will be there.

Lamb, Prescott and Parsons are all seeking new deals this offseason. The three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver is entering the final year of his rookie contract with a $17.99 million guaranteed salary.

Parsons, who has two years remaining on his rookie deal, is eligible for an extension for the first time this offseason. Prescott is entering the final year of his four-year, $160 million deal signed in March 2021.

Clarence Hill Jr. noted Lamb and Parsons weren’t with the Cowboys at the start of organized team activities on May 21, with Lamb’s absence expected.

ESPN’s Todd Archer reported last week that contract talks between the Cowboys and Lamb “could begin in earnest soon, with an eye on getting finalized in training camp.”

Lamb’s decision to wait for a new deal could work to his benefit because the receiver market continues to go up.

Justin Jefferson agreed to a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday that includes $110 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Jefferson’s deal is the fourth extension given to a wide receiver this offseason worth at least $25 million per season. A.J. Brown (three years, $96 million), Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120 million), Jaylen Waddle (three years, $84.75 million) and DeVonta Smith (three years, $75 million) are the others.

Lamb, who was in the same 2020 draft class with Jefferson, has put up numbers comparable to or better than everyone in that group. He ranks fifth in the NFL in receiving yards (5,145), fifth in receptions (395) and tied for eighth in touchdown receptions (32) over the past four seasons.

Last season was the best of Lamb’s career. He led the league with 135 catches, ranked second with 1,749 yards and third with 12 touchdown catches.

As long as the Cowboys are able to get a deal done with Lamb during the offseason so this story doesn’t drag out into the regular season, there is no reason to think his performance might suffer.

If no deal gets worked out and it becomes a talking point during the season, Lamb and the Cowboys might have more headaches than they would like in their quest to get back to the playoffs for a fourth straight year.