Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones downplays the relevance of CeeDee Lamb’s contract extension.

The Dallas Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones have faced criticism this summer for their seeming lack of urgency in signing Dak Prescott to a contract deal. Jones now looks to be taking the same approach to CeeDee Lamb’s contract extension.

Lamb and Prescott are two of the most talented NFL players right now. Lamb was named first-team All-Pro last season, and since joining the league as the 17th overall choice, he has been selected to three Pro Bowls and made the All-Pro team twice.

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Prescott, coming off an MVP-caliber season, is a three-time Pro Bowl pick who was named second-team All-Pro last year after leading the NFL in throwing touchdowns. He also earned the Walter.

On the one hand, Dallas does not really need to extend Lamb right now. It may allow the All-Pro wide receiver to complete the last season of his rookie contract before applying the franchise tag in 2025. The Cowboys’ problem is twofold.

First, they utilized the same tactic with Prescott years ago, and he turned it into having all the leverage in contract negotiations, placing them in their current position. Second, Lamb is currently holding out on his contract. If he is tagged next offseason, he will be unsigned and thus able to skip training camp without incurring sanctions. Lamb will also gain further leverage.

It’s the same reason Prescott has control. Dallas is saddled with a $40 million cap hit in 2025, even if Prescott is not on the roster and the franchise tag cannot be used on him. Meanwhile, according to NFL rumors, Prescott can easily land more than $60 million per year on his next contract if he hits the open market, an average annual value that is at least $5 million higher than the highest-paid NFL quarterbacks right now (Joe Burrow, Trevor Lawrence, and Jordan Love).

The Cowboys’ front office will face the same situation next year with Micah Parsons, who could likely request a contract costing more than $35 million per season. Considering how Dallas has dealt with.