Dak Prescott describes bond built with WR Jalen Tolbert

Jalen Tolbert may prove to be the bright side to CeeDee Lamb‘s lengthy holdout. With the Cowboys star back home in Texas, quarterback Dak Prescott is building bonds with another wideout.

Reports out of Oxnard, Calif., suggest Tolbert is having a nice training camp. Somebody has to take all the reps at WR1, right?

“We had a great conversation about roles, about what individual roles that we have and what they [are] to the team,” Prescott told reporters covering Cowboys camp. “I remember he particularly lays out what he thinks his role was and I just told him, ‘Your role is to go show that you can be a No. 1 receiver. At minimal, a No. 2 receiver.’

“He’s approached this camp with that intensity, with that mindset and he’s made exactly those kinda plays practice after practice,” Prescott said of Tolbert. “I know he’s given me tons of confidence in him and I know his confidence is growing and the play-callers have confidence in him to keep feeding him the ball.”

Now, it’s doubtful any receiver on the Cowboys roster is going to make anyone forget Lamb, who enjoyed a record-breaking 2023. Lamb caught a franchise record 135 catches, besting the previous standard set by Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin. Lamb also put together an amazing string of three games with more than 10 catches and 150 yards. No one in the NFL had done that before.

Cowboys still have vet Brandin Cooks, Tolbert with Lamb out

But Lamb hasn’t been around the Cowboys offices back home in Frisco, Texas, or in Oxnard at training camp. He’s holding out for a better contract. Cowboys VP Stephen Jones says Lamb wants to be the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson now owns that honor, having signed a deal that pays him $35 million a season. Meanwhile, Prescott may very well become the highest-paid player in league history. Sides are negotiating that right now, but Prescott opted to be in camp.

No doubt Brandin Cooks, who is headed into his second season with the Cowboys, will be the second receiver after Lamb. Tolbert could be a terrific option at No. 3, so long as Lamb comes back.

The Cowboys selected Tolbert, the former South Alabama star, in third round of the 2022 draft. He started six games last fall as he posted 22 catches for 268 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Prescott said Tolbert, throughout the off season, always was there if the quarterback wanted to throw.

“Every year, the guy who I feel like I spend the most time with in the offseason goes and has a huge year,” the Cowboys quarterback said. “So, I don’t want to put that pressure on him, but we spent a lot of time together. Last year it was CeeDee; I’m not going to say he’s gonna have a CeeDee-type year as he did last year.”

Prescott added: “It’s usually been a young guy that anytime I send that text message out, they’re there. Doesn’t matter what time, what day. That was Tolbert this offseason.”