The Dallas Cowboys and star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb are stuck in contract talks, with little progress made so far. On Sunday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had a clear message for Lamb: “CeeDee, you’re missed.”
Jones made this comment during the pregame show before the Cowboys’ preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams. He referred to the ongoing negotiations and repeated his earlier statement that the team feels “no urgency” to extend Lamb’s contract.
CeeDee Lamb is still playing under his rookie contract but wants a new deal that puts him among the NFL’s top-paid wide receivers. Recently, other wide receivers, like the Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, signed big deals. Jefferson secured a four-year contract worth $140 million.
Jones acknowledged the “angst” surrounding CeeDee Lamb’s decision to hold out. Lamb has been missing from training camp, racking up fines as a result. However, Jones remained unmoved, saying, “But you’re not missed out here competing, and it doesn’t put any pressure any place on us.”
CeeDee Lamb also skipped the team’s voluntary offseason program and the mandatory minicamp in June. His fines could reach nearly $1 million, but the team can choose to cancel them.
In 2023, CeeDee Lamb had his best season yet. He led the NFL with 135 receptions, gaining 1,749 receiving yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. The Cowboys are feeling the impact of his absence, and Jones’ words may be a sign that the team is eager to have him back on the field.
