Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addresses contract dispute with star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, emphasizing the team's strategy and the player's value.
With the Dallas Cowboys' season opener less than a month away, star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb remains absent from training camp due to an ongoing contract dispute. Team owner Jerry Jones has provided an update on the situation, shedding light on the team's strategy and acknowledging Lamb's importance to the offense.
Speaking during the organization's "Countdown to Kickoff" show before the Cowboys' first preseason game, Jones expressed his understanding of the contract negotiations but reiterated the team's stance on Lamb's absence.
Jerry Jones Explains CeeDee Lamb's Absence from Training Camp
"No one appreciates CeeDee being on the field any more than I do," Jones said. "But let me say this, he wouldn't be taking a snap out here today if he'd been here. We know exactly what CeeDee can do. He worked out with Dak [Prescott]. We wouldn't have him out here."
Jones clarified that Lamb's absence was not solely motivated by the contract dispute but also by the need to protect key players during the preseason. He emphasized that Lamb's injury history and the team's desire to preserve their top wide receiver justified his exclusion from the practice field.
Jerry Jones Explains CeeDee Lamb's Absence from Training Camp
"It really has not anything to do with his contract," Jones said. "Dak won't be out here this afternoon. And so the bottom line is, what it is is, no, there's not that urgency."
Lamb's absence has drawn criticism from some fans and analysts, but Jones remains unfazed. He emphasized that Lamb's value to the team is undeniable, but the team is not willing to rush into a contract agreement that does not meet its financial considerations.
Jerry Jones Explains CeeDee Lamb's Absence from Training Camp
"I think I got into trouble about it the other day when I said, 'Look, we're not urgent about CeeDee,'" Jones said. "Well, no one appreciates CeeDee being on the field any more than I do. But you've got to use your head when you expose key players."
Lamb, who emerged as the Cowboys' top target following the departure of Amari Cooper, has quickly established himself as one of the most productive wide receivers in the NFL. Last season, he led the league with 135 receptions and 1,749 receiving yards while scoring 12 touchdowns.
The Cowboys are hopeful that a contract resolution can be reached before Lamb's absence becomes a significant detriment to the team. However, Jones hinted that the team is prepared to take its time with negotiations and is not willing to meet all of Lamb's demands.
"Now, I understand completely the angst that's happening when you're anxious about and someone says anything about whether you're missed or not," Jones said. "Well, CeeDee, you're missed, OK? But you're not missed out here competing, and it doesn't put any pressure, anyplace on us."
The Cowboys will continue to monitor Lamb's situation and hope to find a mutually acceptable agreement that keeps the talented wide receiver in Dallas for the long term. In the meantime, the team will rely on its other offensive weapons, including Michael Gallup, Dalton Schultz, and Ezekiel Elliott, as they prepare for the upcoming season.
