When the ‘Boys hit the gridiron for OTAs, one major piece was conspicuously missing – CeeDee Lamb, their star wideout coming off a “monster” 2023 with a league-leading 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 TDs. But head coach Mike McCarthy wasn’t sweating Lamb’s contract hold-out, calling it a “huge opportunity” for the young receivers to step up.

“Oh it’s big,” McCarthy stated frankly to reporters yesterday. “Anytime you have an opportunity as a young receiver to get reps it’s a huge opportunity especially if it’s with the first group.” With Lamb on the sidelines angling for a massive new deal, guys like Jalen Tolbert, Jalen “J Brooks” Brooks, and KaVontae “Turp the Burner” Turpin are soaking up those coveted first-team reps with QB1 Dak Prescott.

For this promising but largely unproven crew of young bucks, 2024 could be a career-defining campaign. Veteran Michael Gallup has moved on, leaving the WR3 spot wide open for the taking. An impressive showing at OTAs and in preseason could launch one of them into a key role, totally reshaping the Cowboys’ air attack game plan.

Just ask receivers coach Robert Price who stated via the team’s website: “We expect all of those guys to make a jump… It starts with [Tolbert]. He made a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2, and we expect the same thing to happen for him going into Year 3.” Price also singled out Brooks, “one of those guys that’s always studying, and he can play all of the [WR] positions.”

Dak’s steadying presence amid contract chaos of CeeDee Lamb

While his No.1 target Lamb bides his time, wisely playing the waiting game on a market-setting deal, Prescott has chosen to lead by example and participate in voluntary OTAs. The two-time Pro Bowler is staring down his own upcoming contract fork in the road, but he’s keeping it cool for the ‘Boyz.

“That’s my guy,” Prescott said, showing full support for Lamb’s business decision. “He’s got my support, and I know the locker room’s support. It’s business; business is business. Hopefully, he’ll get all his and everything he deserves and is worth.”

Having been through prolonged contract negotiations himself, Prescott understands this process is just “part of the game.” His steadying veteran presence and team-first attitude are invaluable as the Cowboys navigate these make-or-break deals that will shape the franchise’s future.

After all, it’s not just Lamb and Prescott searching for their big paydays. Star LB Micah Parsons, coming off three straight seasons finishing top-3 in Defensive Player of the Year voting with an insane 40.5 sacks already, is also angling for a massive extension befitting his “Terminator” status.

With the Cowboys currently ranked just 29th in cap space at a paltry $1.925 million, the front office has its work cut out in a major way, Silverstone. One wrong move and this talented core could splinter like the crew in Armageddon, blowing up Dallas’ Super Bowl dreams further in a Lone Star-sized explosion.

As the storm clouds of uncertainty gather, all eyes are on Prescott to be the locker room’s eye of the storm, keeping his teammates focused and ready to “make that tunt on the endzone,” no matter who’s lining up at OTAs.