“Adams may see the Cowboys’ stable quarterback situation with Dak Prescott and Lamb as a big draw if he can pick his next destination. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may be open to a splashy trade to build around Prescott and find a complement to Lamb in the passing game.”

Friction breeds growth, and Lamb’s evolution mirrored the team’s struggles. Two headlines bookend his journey. On February 11, the aftermath of the Cowboys’ playoff debacle led to his blunt self-assessment, “ I need to grow up! ” By December 16, the narrative had flipped into Lamb showing his prowess as one of the team’s leaders.