Dallas Cowboys drop strong hint over training-camp deals for two star names
- Rob McCarthy
- 20 April 2023
The Dallas Cowboys are currently working on fresh deals for two of their star players, CeeDee Lamb and Trevon Diggs, as revealed by chief operating officer Stephen Jones.
Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones has given an update on contract negotiations with star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs.
The Cowboys, who reached the divisional round of the play-offs last season before another crushing loss to the San Francisco 49ers, are expected to start work on fresh deals for their top two picks of their 2020 draft class.
At this stage, Dallas could opt to wait until June 1 to do any more big deals, considering the $10.1million savings that will hit the books for Ezekiel Elliott's exit.
They could also decide to pick up the fifth-year option on Lamb instead, with the wideout coming off a career season where he caught 107 passes to earn second-team All-Pro honors.
But things are different for Diggs, who has now made two straight Pro Bowls after racking up an impressive 17 interceptions in three years, with the corner entering the final year of his contract.
To that end, Diggs' future appears to be more of a pressing matter for the Jones family, as he could become a free agent next March.
And speaking on 105.3 "The Fan" about the upcoming NFL draft, Stephen Jones was asked about the status of both Lamb and Diggs.
Jones said: "As we move forward, that'll become a bigger priority here as we move past the draft,.
"We've historically signed a lot of guys during that training camp period to extensions. But guys like CeeDee Lamb and Diggs are certainly on our radar in terms of guys that we'd love to have around here for another five, six years, whatever that turns out to be."
Diggs is currently scheduled to count just $4.8m on the cap this year, including $4.3m in base salary. That is in stark contrast to the likes of Jaire Alexander, Denzel Ward and Jalen Ramsey who all have an average salary over $20m.
As for Lamb, the Cowboys have until May 3 to exercise their option for a fifth year.
The 24-year-old would receive a base salary of $17.99m for the 2024 season, that's if the Cowboys don't reach a long-term deal with him sooner.
However, Dallas' main focus over the next 10 days or so will be on the upcoming draft as they prepare another Super Bowl push.
Jerry Jones' men are picking No.26 overall in the first round, with offensive line, defensive line and tight end their likely focus.
