Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has expressed his lack of urgency in signing wide receiver CeeDee Lamb to a new contract, despite the potential financial consequences for the player. Lamb, who can be fined $40,000 per day during his holdout and faces additional fines based on missed preseason games, has already removed references to the Dallas Cowboys from his social media bios.

Jones attempted to clarify his comments, emphasizing that the lack of urgency stemmed from the fact that the first regular-season game is four weeks away. He also mentioned that Lamb would not have played in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams even if he had reported on time.

While the market for wide receivers is well-defined, signing Lamb to an extension may not be as straightforward as it seems. Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones revealed that Lamb seeks to become the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback, surpassing the current record holder, Justin Jefferson. Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings in June, setting new records for overall guarantees and fully guaranteed money at signing.

Lamb, who had an outstanding 2023 season with 135 receptions, 1,749 yards, and 12 touchdowns, believes he deserves more than Jefferson's $35 million per year. However, the Cowboys may be hesitant to set a precedent by making Lamb the highest-paid non-quarterback, as this could impact the negotiations for other players, such as edge rusher Micah Parsons.

Comparisons can also be drawn to A.J. Brown, who shares the same agent as Lamb. Brown signed a three-year, $96 million extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, setting a record for guarantees. It would be challenging for Dandy, Lamb's agent, to accept a contract below Brown's $32 million per year, given his superior statistical performance.

Length of contract could also be a sticking point in the negotiations, as the Cowboys prefer long-term deals. However, recent trends in high-end wide receiver contracts lean towards shorter durations. The trend this year includes extensions for DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and DJ Moore, all averaging over $25 million per year.

Despite the potential challenges, the Cowboys recognize the need to bridge the gap between Jefferson's guarantees and the rest of the wide receiver market. They aim to secure top-five rankings in overall and fully guaranteed money for non-quarterbacks, surpassing players like Chris Jones and Josh Hines-Allen.

As the Cowboys prepare for their regular-season opener against the Cleveland Browns, it seems likely that a new contract extension will be reached before serious preparation begins. The potential timing of the deal coinciding with the team's return to Texas could add a fitting end to the wide receiver's contract drama.