While awaiting the contract extension he has so loudly called for, CeeDee L ztamb, the standout wide receiver for the Cowboys, could follow in the footsteps of Brandon Aiyuk and ask to be dealt.
After failing to secure a contract extension throughout the summer, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers has formally requested a trade from the team, according to NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo on Tuesday.
As a former first-round selection, Aiyuk is set to play on the fifth-year option, but like Lamb, he wants a bigger salary after making the second team All-Pro.
After failing to come to a consensus, Mike Garafolo announced on Twitter about an hour ago that Aiyuk had formally requested a trade.
We’ll see how this plays out; the 49ers were in a similar predicament not so long ago with Deebo Samuel, but they managed to work it out.
What will it take to get CeeDee Lamb extended?
The more this news spreads, the more concerned I am that CeeDee Lamb won’t play for the Dallas Cowboys in the long run.
Under the terms of his rookie contract, Lamb is slated to become a free agent after the season, but he is entitled to about $18 million in 2024 under the fifth-year option.
With three other pass catchers (James Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, $35 million; A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, $32 million; and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions, $30 million) surpassing that amount, he could theoretically command at least $30 million annually on a new contract.
If we’re being really honest, Lamb deserves almost as much as the highest-paid man in his role. The only other player who ought to be discussed is Justin Jefferson.
CeeDee said in January he wanted to become the NFL’s highest-paid receiver.
Cowboys Championship Window Closing
If Lamb does not have a signed agreement, he is not anticipated to go to training camp. That’s hardly surprising, as he skipped minicamp already.
He was fined $100K for missing training camp; athletes are fined $50K for each day they miss.
This is do-or-die for the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys’ window for a championship is about to close. This team is finished if they keep their greatest offensive player unsigned and he does ask to be traded, just like Aiyuk did.
Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy appear to be betting on their futures in Dallas, therefore it does not make sense at this point to avoid jeopardizing Lamb’s demand for a trade by not reaching a contract with him.
Trading CeeDee Lamb would only make sense if the Cowboys were prepared to completely rebuild their team.
Don’t Follow Suit, CeeDee
They must make sure Prescott has a top target if they think he can lead them to the Super Bowl. On the other hand, if they think Trey Lance can be a starting quarterback, then CeeDee Lamb’s helmet staring back at him makes his life easier.
Regardless your perspective, he ought to have a long-term contract. Take no chances at all. The Cowboys have plenty on their plate already. Micah Parsons is often on X/Twitter, and many are unsure about Prescott’s future beyond this season. Lamb making a trade request is the last thing they need.
Much of their sizable fan base will strike out at this front management if they even consider dealing Lamb instead of closing a deal.
It would be great to have CeeDee Lamb in the building with the rest of the offense when training camp begins next week. I consider the circumstances surrounding Dez Bryant in 2015.
He tweeted that he wouldn’t show up without a new contract, which set the front office on fire. That summer, on July 15, he signed a contract. When it came time for training camp, he was in the building doing what he had to do, and now it’s time to do the same with CeeDee Lamb.
