The Dallas Cowboys are facing a great deal of uncertainty as they head into a 2024 NFL season that could very well determine the immediate future of the franchise. Head coach Mike McCarthy is entering the final year of his contract and has not been given an extension. While he has led the Cowboys to a 42-25 record in four seasons (including three-consecutive 12-5 finishes), Dallas is just 1-3 in the NFL Playoffs during his tenure. Nothing short of a prolonged run in the postseason will ensure he keeps his job beyond ths season.

Additionally, the Cowboys are working on contract extensions for their three biggest stars: quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and linebacker Micah Parsons. While Prescott and Parsons are present and participating in training camp, Lamb is not.

Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver CeeDee Lamb Is Holding Out

Lamb is holding out until the Cowboys agree to pay him what he wants, which is a salary to match or rival the $35 million Justin Jefferson got with the Minnesota Vikings.

Earlier this offseason, Jefferson and the Vikings agreed to a four-year $140 million contract extension. This deal pays Jefferson $35 million a year, which is the highest annual salary for a non-quarterback in NFL history.

Both players entered the NFL in 2020 and have put up big numbers, though Jefferson holds the edge in several categories:

As one can see, Jefferson has just three less receptions, but over 700 more receiving yards than Lamb. Jefferson also missed seven games last season while Lamb has missed just one game yet in his career.

Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott Tells Jalen Tolbert to Have a WR1 Mindset

Lamb, of course, is the Cowboys’ top pass catcher. Last season, he led the entire NFL with 135 receptions while racking up 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Without him in training camp, more Cowboys wide receivers are getting targets from Prescott and the other quarterbacks. One of them, Jalen Tolbert, received a strong message from his starting quarterback:

“I told him, your role is to go show that you can be a No. 1 receiver. At minimal, a No. 2 receiver. He’s approached this camp with that intensity, with that mindset.”

Tolbert, a third-round pick in 2022, has not lived up to the expectations the team had for him when he was first drafted. In his rookie season, he had just two receptions for 12 yards. Last year, Tolbert had 22 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns.

If Lamb’s holdout extends into the regular season, Tolbert is going to be tasked with filling a huge hole on the offense. Hopefully Prescott’s message helps him reach that level.

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