Schefter: CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys Not Agreeing to Contract by Week 1 Would Be 'Shocking'

While there has been plenty of noise surrounding CeeDee Lamb's contract situation as he enters the final year of his current deal, Dallas Cowboys fans reportedly shouldn't worry too much about whether he will be on the field for the Sept. 8 opener against the Cleveland Browns.

"These two sides, when you talk to enough people around the league, fully expect that this deal will get done," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday's episode of NFL Live.

"It would be a huge upset if CeeDee Lamb is not there for the start of the regular season. I don't know whether they can bridge the differences, which aren't that much, this week or next week or the week after, but this deal is going to get done. It would be shocking and utterly stupid if it did not get done in time for the start of the regular season. So they're going to figure out a way."

Lamb is just one contract situation making headlines in Dallas, as quarterback Dak Prescott is also entering the final year of his deal. Throw in pass-rusher Micah Parsons with just two years remaining on his contract, and many of the biggest names on the Cowboys are somewhat in long-term limbo until deals are configured.

As for Lamb, he had quite the response to owner Jerry Jones telling reporters "I don't have any urgency to get it done."

It should be noted that Jones said the wide receiver has been missed as he holds out even if the owner doubled down on the lack of urgency.

"No one appreciates CeeDee being on the field more than I do," Jones said in comments during an appearance on Countdown to Kickoff (shared by Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports) on Sunday. "… No, there's not that urgency. Now, I understand completely that angst that's happening when you're anxious about it and someone says anything about whether you're missed or not. Well, CeeDee, you're missed."

Not paying Lamb and watching him sign elsewhere next offseason would be quite the blow to the Cowboys on the field, as he is on the short list of the best wide receivers in the NFL.

He finished last season with a league-best 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, which were all career-high totals. The 25-year-old may only build on those numbers in the coming seasons, which, in theory, should increase the urgency from Dallas' perspective to make sure he is signed.

Still, the wide receiver market has been quite lucrative this offseason with Justin Jefferson (average annual value of $35 million), A.J. Brown ($32 million per year), Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30 million per year) and Jaylen Waddle ($28.3 million per year) resetting the market with their extensions.

Perhaps Jones didn't envision paying that much for Lamb in the past, but the market is the market at this point.

And Lamb is someone who figures to be paid near the top of it.