An interesting study could be conducted regarding the owner of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones. His level of success has impressed even the most vocal areas of the peanut gallery. Fans never quite know what to expect from him, and the only predictable aspect is unpredictability. An interaction started when the head of the organization made it clear that there wasn't any particular sense of 'urgency' surrounding the looming contract talks with CeeDee Lamb.
This sparked a reaction from the wide receiver on social media that garnered a lot of attention. It ultimately shows two sides in a situation that are handling things or at least a few things differently. On the one hand, the player feels that his side of the negotiation represents fair market value for his services. From the other perspective, Jones does not appear in any hurry and does not appear to feel any pressure to get something done just for the sake of getting it done.
However, from the player's side, this may show a lack of respect. Someone who produces consistently at a high rate without being willing to iron out the details and to compensate closer to what other comparable athletes are seeing can be perceived as not valuing what's being brought to the table by the individual. This makes the latest comments that much more interesting.
For anyone who was expecting him to offer statements clarifying or even apologizing, that would only come from someone who has not paid attention to this organization for the past decades. Either way, while speaking during the Los Angeles Rams pregame buildup, he offered the following, as shared by ESPN's Todd Archer:
Now I understand completely the angst that's happening when you're anxious about and someone says anything about whether you're missed or not. Well, CeeDee, you're missed, OK? But you're not missed out here competing, and it doesn't put any pressure any place on us.
The only odd aspect and all this is the fact that Jones felt the need to issue something of a clarification after his original comments in the first place. He seems to come from a place of wanting to ensure that the intention of his words for the playmaker isn't misinterpreted. Most likely he offered this to assure the pro bowler that he would like to get a deal done and how much he knows that he will mean to the team for the upcoming season.
This isn't Jerry Jones' first rodeo
Moreover, at the same time, true to the brand, Jones really didn't budge on the overall point or sentiments of what he was trying to say. Obviously, if there was a genie involved, Lamb would be taken care of and would be seeing the practice field and limited pre-season action.
The business side is a reality that few have navigated better than him. Even when the businessman blinks, it usually comes after a lot of concessions on the other side. Regardless of what ends up happening in this negotiation, it's something of a given that the best available move for the Cowboys will happen one way or another. As mentioned, players like Ezekiel Elliott have won similar battles before.
Regardless, there's almost an unspoken rule of Jerry Jones working his magic behind the scenes and, at times, being willing to lose the public battle. There's a lot at play behind closed doors that spectators do not get to see. But rest assured, Dallas will not be strong-armed. Even if a favorable deal ends up being agreed to, the brand, overall strategy, and vision of one man will remain, and that's all that matters in Arlington.