Dak Prescott’s Contract an Equal Priority as Dallas Wait on Justin Jefferson to Finalize CeeDee Lamb’s Future

Dak Prescott is at an impasse with the Dallas Cowboys, and his long overdue contract extension is a huge question mark that has overtaken NFL analysts. But the Dallas QB getting an extension has a lot of variables in it. Some of those variables are the WR CeeDee Lamb and the linebacker Micah Parsons, who are also at a stalemate with their team.

The receiver stands out because he’s always been someone Prescott can rely on. Also, the OTAs have started, and Lamb hasn’t shown up to the practices yet. While Dak Prescott insists that he’s “not interested” in money, Lamb reportedly is waiting for Justin Jefferson’s deal to take shape before he puts forth the desired numbers.

Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb: Dallas Cowboys’ biggest dilemma

Jeremy Fowler and Laura Rutledge of ESPN dissected the details of Prescott’s potential extension details and explained how Lamb’s contract is connected to that of the QBs. Many analysts like Tom Pelissero, the host of First Things First, estimated Prescott’s contract extension to be north of $50 million. Pelissero even went beyond that figure and expected the QB contract to be in the ballpark of $60 million. Fowler and Rutledge were not far off.

Per Fowler’s sources, the Cowboys are optimistic about getting the deal done with their QB and said, “I checked with the team source, I was told that they still want to get Dak Prescott done. They have expressed directly to Prescott their desire to get something done, it’s just the contract process has been slow because it has to be such a big number they have to come correct when they do.”

Maybe Jerry Jones’ statement of “We Want Dak and that’s that,” is finally taking shape. The Dallas QB led the league in passing touchdowns with 36 and passed for more than 4,500 yards in the last season. This year, he’s set to make $29 million while carrying a cap hit of $55 million, per Over The Cap. The numbers indeed have left Dallas scratching their heads, and they might be trying new ways to manage their ledgers. Among the few bug numbers that stand out are those of CeeDee Lamb.

Lamb is set to earn a base salary of about $17.9 million this season, and his stocks are about to skyrocket soon. “Soon” means when Justin Jefferson gets a record-breaking non-QB extension from the Vikings. Also, retaining a quarterback might be a high-priority task for the Cowboys because they don’t have other options besides Trey Lance, who didn’t play last season.

“CeeDee Lamb, a couple of things in play here. He could be waiting on Prescott, Dallas might need to prioritize the quarterback first, and also CeeDee Lamb appears to be waiting on Justin Jefferson. Really the whole league is waiting on him to get done he could be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league when it’s all said and done for Minnesota,” said Fowler.

Analysts speculate that Justin Jefferson’s new deal will break the benchmark that Davante Adams, who signed a 5-year $140 million deal with the Raiders. That might soon be a reality for CeeDee Lamb because Dak Prescott and the whole locker room have his back.

CeeDee Lamb is getting the boost he needs

Dak Prescott has been voluntarily showing up to the OTAs and doesn’t want to hold out. He believes his job is to play football and that the “business will take care of itself.” However, he fully supports CeeDee Lamb, who is in the fifth year of this rookie deal. “Not many more people out there, more swaggier, cooler, better player, than that guy. So obviously you’re gonna miss him, miss having him around,” said Prescott.

He also added, “But I’ve been in this situation, it’s business, business is business. He’s got my support and pretty much everybody in this locker room. I know locker room support and so it’s part of it. Hopefully, he’ll get all his and everything he deserves and is worth.” However, on a positive note, younger receivers like Brandin Cooks are getting an opportunity to show off and get some reps in the OTAs.

Prescott and Lamb developed a synergy over a team, and their success was like a cause-and-effect loop. Players like  Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson have signed monumental deals with their teams, and if the Cowboys don’t give him that opportunity, someone else might. As for Lamb, he’s up against the likes of Tyreek Hill, who makes about $31 million in a year.

While there are no questions about Lamb’s performance, Prescott’s 2-5 playoff record often confuses the Cowboys management. However, per Prescott, “Business is business,” and “Right now, it’s about being my best for this team in this moment.”