Stephen Jones, Cowboys Currently Working Hard On 2 More Contract Extensions

[CCBoy]

The Dallas Cowboys held their annual Cowboys Season Kickoff event at The Star in Frisco earlier this week. Players and front office personnel were asked their thoughts on various topics regarding the team. Executive Vice President Stephen Jones was one of them, and he had some words that piqued the interest of Cowboys Nation.

As first reported by Dallas Morning News Reporter Michael Gehlken, Jones stated that Dallas was “working hard” on extensions for WR CeeDee Lamb and RT Terence Steele. Dallas has done a good job massaging the salary cap this offseason with contract extensions and restructures.

A contract extension for Lamb or Steele wouldn't necessarily create room in the 2023 salary cap, but it would have other advantages.

https://insidethestar.com/stephen-j...y-working-hard-on-2-more-contract-extensions/

GETTING AHEAD OF THE MARKET​

There are two main reasons for getting ahead of the rest of the NFL when negotiating contracts with players. One, coming to an agreement prior to the expiration of the contract prevents teams from having to use the dreaded franchise tag. Two, the sooner teams strike deals with players, the cheaper the contract.

CEEDEE LAMB​

As a first round pick, CeeDee Lamb has the 5th year option on his rookie contract should the Cowboys decide to use it. The problem with that is Justin Jefferson, arguably the best wide receiver in football was drafted in the same year as Lamb, and is also up for extension. It is imperative that Dallas get a deal done with Lamb prior to the Vikings striking a deal with Jefferson. Jefferson is sure to reset the market as the highest paid wide receiver of all time, and Lamb would want money either equal to or near the same.
The latest wide receiver to reset the market is Tyreek Hill of the Dolphins, who averages $30 million per season.

TERENCE STEELE​

Steele thrust himself into the Cowboys starting lineup as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2020 after injuries on the offensive line forced him into action. Since then, he has not looked back, starting 40 games in his three years. The 2022 season ended abruptly for Steele after tearing his ACL in a Week 13 matchup versus the Houston Texans. He has spent the entire offseason working hard on his return, and looks to reward himself and the Cowboys by being ready to go Week 1 at the New York Giants. Despite the injury, Steele has the leverage in contract negotiations after the Cowboys struggled to run the ball effectively after his injury. The prices for the offensive tackle market aren't nearly as expensive, but it would be prudent to lock in Terence Steele early nonetheless.

 

[DCBoysfan]

Get it done.

 

[Rayman70]

watch, they will extend Edoga.

 

[Stash]

I hope they get both done.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

If they want Lamb to sign today, that number is going to be over $30m, or very close to it. He'd be dumb to sign for anything less than that.

Higgins and Ridley are FAs after this year, and are likely to hit that $25m mark.

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Dallas should focus on the Steele extension right now. Get him signed. I really doubt Lamb is gonna sign now, he will want to wait until the Jefferson signing.....unless he feels he can fleece the Cowboys FO. The only positive thing for the FO is at least they have Tolbert, Brooks, and a few others they can dangle as leverage in their negotiations. I know they are not at Lamb level at the moment, but it ain't like the cupboard is bare. No way should Lamb be setting the market at WR. The WR numbers are getting ridiculous now...$25m--$30m is too much to pay for just one........especially when teams are needing more of them in multiple WR packages.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Dallas should focus on the Steele extension right now. Get him signed. I really doubt Lamb is gonna sign now, he will want to wait until the Jefferson signing.....unless he feels he can fleece the Cowboys FO. The only positive thing for the FO is at least they have Tolbert, Brooks, and a few others they can dangle as leverage in their negotiations. I know they are not at Lamb level at the moment, but it ain't like the cupboard is bare. No way should Lamb be setting the market at WR. The WR numbers are getting ridiculous now...$25m--$30m is too much to pay for just one........especially when teams are needing more of them in multiple WR packages.

If I was CD and the Cowboys said "We can't offer you X because we think Tolbert and Brooks can replace you" I would ask for a trade right then and there.

They aren't stupid enough to do that - both parties know that CD has the leverage.

 

[CCBoy]

If I was CD and the Cowboys said "We can't offer you X because we think Tolbert and Brooks can replace you" I would ask for a trade right then and there.

They aren't stupid enough to do that - both parties know that CD has the leverage.

CD Lamb wasn't born yesterday...he wants to be part of a great team as well. He'll get paid.

 

[Havic]

If they want Lamb to sign today, that number is going to be over $30m, or very close to it. He'd be dumb to sign for anything less than that.

Higgins and Ridley are FAs after this year, and are likely to hit that $25m mark.

Eh idk. I feel like lamb is somewhere in the 23-27m range. 30+ is Jefferson, Chase, etc

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Eh idk. I feel like lamb is somewhere in the 23-27m range. 30+ is Jefferson, Chase, etc

$23 is way too low, that's Deebo money. That said, ~$27 is probably right currently, but there's no reason for CD to sign that right now. He's better off waiting until the end of this year. In a rising cap world, if he ends up a top-5 receiver, the number would almost certainly be over $30m. Remember, his extension doesn't start until 2025.

Everyone talks about him trying to wait out Jefferson, but it's Ridley and Higgins who he'll be able to best negotiate off of. He's better than both, and they might get $26-$28m.

If Dallas wants him to sign now - with effectively two years left on his contract - they're going to have to overpay. That's why it doesn't happen.

 

[Havic]

$23 is way too low, that's Deebo money. That said, ~$27 is probably right currently, but there's no reason for CD to sign that right now. He's better off waiting until the end of this year. In a rising cap world, if he ends up a top-5 receiver, the number would almost certainly be over $30m. Remember, his extension doesn't start until 2025.

Everyone talks about him trying to wait out Jefferson, but it's Ridley and Higgins who he'll be able to best negotiate off of. He's better than both, and they might get $26-$28m.

If Dallas wants him to sign now - with effectively two years left on his contract - they're going to have to overpay. That's why it doesn't happen.

Well the risk is an injury that negates that second contract entirely. If it were me, I’d sign now for say 27m and not risk a potential injury. Better to leave a couple mil on the table to secure that bag

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Well the risk is an injury

Nope.

He could tear his ACL on the first snap of week 1 and still get $25m+. The idea that he's going to suffer some sort of catastrophic career-ending injury is myth. He probably has injury insurance anyway.

 

[StarBoyz83]

$23 is way too low, that's Deebo money. That said, ~$27 is probably right currently, but there's no reason for CD to sign that right now. He's better off waiting until the end of this year. In a rising cap world, if he ends up a top-5 receiver, the number would almost certainly be over $30m. Remember, his extension doesn't start until 2025.

Everyone talks about him trying to wait out Jefferson, but it's Ridley and Higgins who he'll be able to best negotiate off of. He's better than both, and they might get $26-$28m.

If Dallas wants him to sign now - with effectively two years left on his contract - they're going to have to overpay. That's why it doesn't happen.

26-28 mil for not even top 20 wrs? Ceedee will be like 40 mil then.

 

[big dog cowboy]

If they were "working hard" on these deals then they would have already been done.

It doesn't take that long. Sit down face to face like they did with Martin and get it done.

 

[Coogiguy03]

watch, they will extend Edoga.

Funny but true

 

[CowboyRoy]

If they were "working hard" on these deals then they would have already been done.

It doesn't take that long. Sit down face to face like they did with Martin and get it done.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

26-28 mil for not even top 20 wrs? Ceedee will be like 40 mil then.

Ridley and Higgins both are probably top 20 - theoretically anyways.

Not that yards is a great measure, but Higgins was 19th last year and Ridley was 5th in 2020.

 

[CCBoy]

$23 is way too low, that's Deebo money. That said, ~$27 is probably right currently, but there's no reason for CD to sign that right now. He's better off waiting until the end of this year. In a rising cap world, if he ends up a top-5 receiver, the number would almost certainly be over $30m. Remember, his extension doesn't start until 2025.

Everyone talks about him trying to wait out Jefferson, but it's Ridley and Higgins who he'll be able to best negotiate off of. He's better than both, and they might get $26-$28m.

If Dallas wants him to sign now - with effectively two years left on his contract - they're going to have to overpay. That's why it doesn't happen.

Around 1995, those kind of contracts killed the Dallas cap...injuries change a lot as to projections.

Probably why Dallas ended up with Lance, now.

 

[CCBoy]

The franchise is butt deep in 'gaters now with roster stabilization and the 53.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Around 1995, those kind of contracts killed the Dallas cap...injuries change a lot as to projections.

Probably why Dallas ended up with Lance, now.

Contracts to premiere players don't hurt you. It's contracts to mid-level players that do.