NFL Rumors: CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys Still 'Trying to Find a Sweet Spot' on New Contract

Contract talks between the Dallas Cowboys and superstar wideout CeeDee Lamb are expected to ramp up as the start of the regular season looms in two weeks.

"The stage is set for Dallas to place an urgency on Lamb, the wide receiver," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Sunday's SportsCenter. "To get that deal done it's going to cost them well above $30 million per year. CeeDee Lamb's trying to get as close as he can to that Justin Jefferson market of that $35 million a year. So, they're trying to find a sweet spot on all of those points. I expect Lamb to be done first."

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network also provided an update, noting the wideout was not expecting to top Jefferson's contract as the highest-paid in the league at his position (h/t RJ Ochoa of SB Nation):

Fowler added that the Cowboys were also going to try to work out an extension for Dak Prescott ahead of the regular season, though the star quarterback reportedly is "well aware of how well he can do in free agency if he were to just let this ride out, play well again and put up a huge QBR and then be there in March for $60 million a year, whatever it's going to cost. It's going to cost a lot."

That the Cowboys have let negotiations with both their star quarterback and wide receiver drag out for this long doesn't feel like great business, and has cast something of a cloud over training camp. While Prescott has been with the team, Lamb has held out altogether.

At some point, the Cowboys will be expected to cave and give their star players market value. Prescott holds all of the leverage, since he can simply depart in free agency, while the Cowboys would risk souring their relationship beyond repair with Lamb if they decided to use the franchise tag on him after the season. It feels as though Jerry Jones and the front office overplayed their hands in both negotiations.