Things aren’t going exactly to plan at the Cowboys camp as the 2024 NFL off-season comes to a close. With CeeDee Lamb’s contract extension still up in the air, team owner Jerry Jones doesn’t seem to get a break. Lamb has yet to show up for the training camps and skipped voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamps. Even after racking up more than $100,000 in fines, the three-time Pro Bowler doesn’t seem to have any plan to end his ‘hold-out.’

Moreover, Jones hasn’t really helped himself with talks of the team being “all in” for the upcoming season. With Lamb, Dak Prescott, and Micah Parsons all seeking new deals, Jones is yet to cover his bases. Speaking on the shenanigans, Craig Carton had some interesting details to share on The Carton Show regarding Jones mentioning “all in” to his supporters. Craig mentions the hope Jones is sending out to the Cowboys fans by stating, “Micah has a rookie deal. CeeDee has a rookie deal. They both deserving of the contract they are asking for. And you can’t come out and say to the largest fanbase in all sports, and tell them that you are “all in”. And leave those two guys out there like big mouths hanging out there.”

Although Parsons is eligible to sign his extension, there isn’t much drama regarding his contract situation. However, CeeDee Lamb’s multiple-week ‘hold-out’ remains a problem where Jones hasn’t been able to gain a foothold. Carton, in his show, also mentions, “How does an owner prove to its fan base that they are all in? They prove it by how they are spending their money. That’s not all-in.”

Notably, Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson recently broke the NFL market by earning himself a four-year $140 million deal. This includes $110 million guaranteed with an average salary of $35 million per year. By signing that contract, Justin etched his name on the history books as the highest-paid non-QB. Even Eagles All-Pro A.J. Brown bagged a three-year deal worth $96 million. Not too long ago, Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown signed his four-year, $120 million contract as well.

Lamb is set to earn north of $18 million in 2024 under his fifth-year option rookie deal. The two-time All-Pro nominee is quite deserving of this extension based on his recent performances. With a career-high single-season catch record for Dallas at 135 while racking up 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in the 2023 season, the WR has more than proved himself as an integral part of the team’s offense. Despite this, Jones is playing the long game with Lamb, and it is yet to be seen if he can bring the WR back to first-team training. Or will Lamb continue to wait throughout the off-season?

Can Jones secure CeeDee Lamb before the season begins?

The clock seems to be running out for Jerry Jones as the new NFL season draws near. But this CeeDee Lamb contract extension drama doesn’t seem to conclude anytime soon. After looking at other non-QBs signing lucrative contracts with respective franchises, Lamb could be hoping for the same. However, will he get a Jefferson-type contract or something beyond that? Right now, Lamb doesn’t seem to have an issue continuing his ‘hold-out’ until his demands are heard.

Despite Jones being aware of other NFL players signing their extension. He was quick to point out Zack Martin’s deal last year, saying, “Was it Martin that wasn’t here last year?”. Going back to last season, Martin did a similar ‘hold-out’ that lasted for three weeks while racking up fines worth $1 million. However, he ended up reworking the previous contract, which earned him $27.5 million, to guarantee $36 million for the next two seasons.

With CeeDee Lamb still holding out, you bet he’s eyeing something similar and rightfully so. But whether he can secure the bag while challenging other wide receivers’ salaries in past seasons remains a mystery.