Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith rips team's handling of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb contract negotiations

The Hall of Famer isn't holding back

By Bryan DeArdo Aug 8, 2024 at 9:52 pm ET• 2 min read

Emmitt Smith was one of the main stars on the Cowboys when Dallas won its most recent Super Bowl. Now, Smith is 55, has been retired for going on 20 years, and is tired of watching his old team fall short on a yearly basis. 

The Hall of Fame running back is specifically not pleased with the team's handling of quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb. Smith's comments were made prior to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones telling reporters on Thursday night that he doesn't have a sense of urgency to extend Lamb's contract. 

"He is a very, very valuable asset to the Dallas Cowboys," Smith said of Lamb during an interview with SB Nation. "He is a very, very valuable asset to Dak Prescott. Without him on the football field, they're putting all of the pressure on Dak Prescott now. And that is unacceptable. Because every quarterback of his caliber should have quality people to throw the ball to. Not no Plan B or no Plan C or no Plan D guy. 

"He should be in a position, as your franchise quarterback, he should be in a position to be successful. And right now you putting him behind the eight ball. And that is not right. And that's how I see it."

Quarterbacks are largely only as good as the talent around them. With Lamb currently holding out, the Cowboys' skill-position players are lacking outside of No. 2 wideout Brandin Cooks. The Cowboys don't have much depth at receiver and are relying on running back Ezekiel Elliott to find the fountain of youth after letting Tony Pollard leave via free agency.