Cowboys Offer Lamb: Are We 'Close' Yet?

The CeeDee Lamb contract watch rolls on as the Dallas Cowboys prepare to play their second preseason game on Saturday. ... with an interesting note from the negotiations.

Two days ago, one outlet "broke the story'' that Lamb is being offered "less than $33 million'' APY.

On Friday, another outlet essentially "broke'' the same story, noting that Lamb is being offered "almost $33 million'' APY.

Somebody sure wants this new out there, eh?

Is Lamb important here?

On Thursday, former NFL receiver turned analyst James Jones was on FS1’s “Speak” and declared the Cowboys need to sign Lamb because he “is the offense.”

"I think we are underestimating how valuable CeeDee Lamb is,” Jones said. “What are the Cowboys going to do? Running back room? Weak! Receiver room? Weak! Who knows what the offensive line is going to be. ...

"CeeDee is the offense! CeeDee is very, very valuable for them. Dang near almost as valuable as Dak Prescott! CeeDee is too valuable to this team and they got to figure out a way to pay him."

Nobody is really arguing against the TV guy here; he's shaking his fist at clouds.

Related: Dak Prescott Softens Contract Rhetoric, 'Enjoys 'Being a Cowboys' Star

But it's about the number.

It's about how "close'' we are to a "yes.''

Last season, quarterback Dak Prescott attempted 590 passes. Approximately 181 those were Lamb’s way. That is 30.6% of Prescott’s attempts for the year. Nearly one-third of all passes thrown by Prescott last season went to CeeDee Lamb.

Lamb hauled in 135 for catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lamb accounted for 26.9% of the Cowboys total yards last season. He also accounted for one-third of Prescott’s touchdown passes.

Based on just numbers, Lamb is pretty close to being "the offense.'' And based on the leaks? Maybe the Cowboys are pretty close to paying him that way.