Jerry Jones Comments Ignite CeeDee Lamb Holdout Controversy
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has set off a whirlwind of discussions surrounding the ongoing holdout of star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The 24-year-old, who has yet to report to training camp, faces substantial financial penalties as he strives for a new contract that would make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
Lamb's decision to hold out carries significant financial repercussions. For each day missed, Lamb incurs a $40,000 fine. Additionally, he risks losing 1/18th of his base salary for every preseason game skipped. His current base salary, fully guaranteed at $17.991 million for this season, means that each missed exhibition game puts approximately $999,500 at stake.
In a move that has only added fuel to the speculation, Lamb has removed all references to the Dallas Cowboys from his social media bios. Despite this, the Cowboys organization has the discretion to waive or reduce these fines, given that Lamb remains on his rookie deal.
Jerry Jones recently downplayed the urgency of Lamb's absence, citing the fact that their first regular-season game remains a few weeks away. "He said that lack of urgency related to their first regular-season game being four weeks away," Jones remarked. Yet, the absence of their key offensive asset has not gone unnoticed within the organization. "Jones also made a point of mentioning that Lamb was missed," highlighting the significant role Lamb plays in the team's offensive strategy.
It's clear that Lamb's aspirations extend beyond his current contract. According to a statement from Stephen Jones, "Lamb desires to be the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback." This ambition comes in the wake of wide receiver Justin Jefferson's lucrative four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson's deal, which includes $110 million in overall guarantees and $88.743 million fully guaranteed at signing, averages $35 million per year, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback, a title previously held by San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa.
Bosa's five-year, $170 million extension, averaging $34 million annually, sets a high bar for Lamb's contract negotiations. The Cowboys must weigh Lamb's demands against the team’s salary cap and future contract negotiations, particularly with other key players like Micah Parsons.
Lamb's performance on the field further justifies his demands. In 2023, he recorded 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading the league in receptions and ranking second in receiving yards. Named a first-team All-Pro last season, Lamb has established himself as one of the NFL's elite wide receivers. Since the start of the 2022 regular season, Lamb leads the league with 242 receptions.
The Cowboys have a history of extending core players rather than relying heavily on franchise tags, a strategy employed since the 2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement introduced the rookie wage scale. The team typically favors big-money extensions that span at least five years, allowing them to maintain continuity at key positions.
An impending significant date is August 20, when the Cowboys break training camp in Oxnard, California. Whether an agreement will be reached by this date remains to be seen, but it is likely to be a focal point in the coming weeks as both Lamb's representatives and the Cowboys' front office aim to find common ground.
With CeeDee Lamb setting his sights on becoming the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback, Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys face a challenging negotiation process that could have far-reaching implications for the team's future.