Micah Parsons makes promise on CeeDee Lamb's return amid Cowboys WR contract holdout
Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb are two of the biggest superstars on the Dallas Cowboys roster who are entering crucial years for their careers. Along with Dak Prescott, they're looking for contract extensions, and they know their value - the franchise also does.
As Prescott and Parsons prepare for another season on training camp, the franchise is missing Lamb. He has been absent from every offseason camp, and while he could be fined for missing mandatory practices, the team could also void those fines since the wide receiver is on a rookie contract.
On Tuesday, Parsons took to the mic to deliver a promise to Cowboys' fans about Lamb's situation. The EDGE defender, who's in a contract negotiation of his own, said that, no matter what happens until there, the receiver would be playing in Dallas' season opener against the Cleveland Browns:
"Obviously, we miss him. 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. He knows he's not going anywhere. The business side, they're gonna take care of it — no doubt about it," Parsons said per the Cowboys' official website.
Lamb is in the final year of his rookie deal, but while the fifth-year option is pricey when compared to the first four years, it is still far away from his true value.
Prescott is also in the final year of his deal, while Parsons has 2024 and 2025 left in the books before even having a chance of reaching free agency. Spoiler alert: he won't.
How much is CeeDee Lamb worth for the Cowboys?
It's difficult to measure the impact he has on Dallas' offense. He's one of the three best receivers in the NFL.
CeeDee can line up wide or in the slot, runs good routes at all three levels, has the speed to attack deep down the field, is excellent at gaining yards after the catch and has sure hands to grab even the most contested passes. He's an athlete who can totally change the outcome of a game.
Dallas doesn't have much to think about in this regard: Lamb has a value that can't even be measurable, and he needs to be paid, even if it costs the team's cap dearly.
Justin Jefferson's new contract established an average annual salary of $35 million, almost 10% more than A. J. Brown, the No. 2 in the position, signed for. CeeDee doesn't want to be behind them. Becoming the highest-paid player in your area has an aura, and Dallas has plenty of room on the salary cap to do it.