NFL Rumors: CeeDee Lamb Wants Cowboys Contract Extension to 'Make Sense' amid Holdout

A new contract for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb "just has to make sense," according to NFL Network's Jane Slater.

With training camp underway, Lamb is holding out as he enters the final year of his contract. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday it's unclear whether the three-time Pro Bowler wants to surpass the Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson as the highest-paid wideout or will settle for a place below that.

Lamb is one of two Cowboys stars due to hit free agency in 2025 along with quarterback Dak Prescott.

Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reported on July 20 the Cowboys were considering Lamb "their No. 1 priority" over Prescott for the time being. The strategy makes sense because a payout for the 25-year-old should be lower than what Prescott gets, and having his long-term future solidified would give Dallas a better idea of what it could feasibly offer its franchise QB.

However, Slater reported Wednesday it was "all quiet" regarding negotiations with both players.

Looming on the horizon is also an extension for edge-rusher Micah Parsons. He's eligible to re-sign now, but there's at least more time to resolve his situation since he's under team control through 2025.

During an appearance on The Athletic's Scoop City podcast, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones reflected on the difficult position in which the franchise finds itself. He said Dallas has to "play Houdini in how to keep all these guys around Dak and keep these players we were fortunate enough to draft."

The idea that Lamb's next contract "just has to make sense" makes it sound as though he's willing to meet the Cowboys somewhere in the middle in negotiations. But a salary that makes sense for him is $30-plus million in the current market. Spotrac values him at $34 million annually.

That kind of dollar figure would put Dallas in an even tighter bind as it relates to having enough salary cap space around to keep Prescott and Parsons as well while maintaining a Super Bowl-caliber roster.

Lamb is an elite wideout in his prime. In almost any other circumstance, his extension would pretty much be a slam dunk. The Cowboys are an exception thanks to their cap situation, and it makes you wonder whether they'll have to part ways with one of their cornerstones.