It appears that the angst has dissipated in the CeeDee Lamb contract negotiations with the Dallas Cowboys.
Less than a week after being seemingly perturbed when owner Jerry Jones said he had no urgency to sign him, resulting in Lamb removing the Cowboys from his social media handles, the holdout receiver was having fun with a Cowboys fan who drafted him No. 1 overall in his fantasy football league.
Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons also shared this week that Lamb let him know that he has been watching him dominate in practice.
“CeeDee checked in on me,” Parsons said. “He’s been watching the practice film and telling me, ‘You’re going crazy.’ We have our talks but, at the end of the day, [he] knows what it is.”
Of course, this was after Jones clarified his remarks over the weekend, letting Lamb know that his presence was missed in practice and that he is valued and wanted.
There is no doubt that a deal will get done.
But a contract extension is not close to being completed.
Lamb, had a career year last year with a league-leading 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns in earning All-Pro honors for the first time, is scheduled to play this year on the $17.991 million fifth-year option.
He is looking for a deal in the neighborhood of Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, who is the highest paid nonquarterback in the NFL with an annual salary of $35 million annually.
Now, Lamb is not necessarily asking to top Jefferson. Vice president Stephen Jones has acknowledged that much.
But, per a source, the Cowboys remain a few blocks away, with their best offer not yet at $33 million annually.
There is more to getting a deal done than that, as cash flow and structure are part of the process.
Work still must be done in all areas.
But there is no one on the Cowboys who doesn’t believe ground will be made up and Lamb will back with the team before the start of the season.
The season opener is Sept. 8 at the Cleveland Browns.
“Obviously, we miss him,” Parsons said. “He’s one of the best people you can have in a locker room. I’m pretty sure he’ll be here soon.”
“CeeDee is a part of this brotherhood whether he likes it or not,” Parsons added. “He knows he’s not going anywhere. The business side, they’re going to take care of it. No doubt about it.
“On Week 1, he will be suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys.”
The real question is how much before that the Cowboys and Lamb get the deal do so he’s ready to go.