ARLINGTON, Texas — CeeDee Lamb expressed his frustration after losing a ball in the sun during a missed completion that contributed to the Dallas Cowboys’ inability to score a crucial touchdown in the first half of their 34-6 defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones was also upset about the recurring mention of the sun as a factor at AT&T Stadium, which cost $1.2 billion to construct and features retractable glass doors at each end.
The stadium’s unique east-west configuration creates challenges for players during afternoon games, particularly when the sun shines in from the west side, affecting visibility in the first half.
Lamb, recognized as Dallas’ standout receiver, found himself looking directly into the sunlight during the second quarter while attempting to catch a pass from Cooper Rush. The throw went behind him while he was open on a crossing route in the end zone, and he could not adjust in time to make the catch.
Frustrated, Lamb gestured toward his eyes and repeated similar motions on the sidelines as the Cowboys, now sitting at 3-6, continued their four-game losing streak—failing to secure a win at home with a record of 0-4 at AT&T Stadium.
“I lost track of the ball. Couldn’t see it at all. The sun was in my eyes,” Lamb remarked after having recently signed a hefty four-year contract extension worth $136 million at the end of August, following a preseason holdout.
When asked if he would recommend installing curtains to mitigate the sun issue, Lamb responded with a firm, “Yes. One thousand percent.”
In a follow-up, when questioned about whether he’d bring this up with Jones, Lamb quipped, “I mean, y’all are doing my job for me right now.”
Despite frequent suggestions to address the sunlight problem, Jones has consistently dismissed any proposals for curtains. Following the game, he brought up the matter himself, displaying his irritation regarding the recurring topic yet again.
“Look, we know where the sun is going to be at any game, so let’s not act surprised,” Jones stated. “Do we really want to tear down our stadium and build a new one over this? It’s ridiculous.”
Although some might interpret Jones’ comments as a rebuke of head coach Mike McCarthy, he clarified that this wasn’t directed at McCarthy.
“Every team that plays here deals with the same issues. They are aware of the sun’s position. It’s not just McCarthy; everyone understands where the sun will be. We plan ahead for that,” Jones explained in his post-game remarks.
The Cowboys are reportedly gearing up for an official announcement regarding the potential need for season-ending surgery for quarterback Dak Prescott due to a torn hamstring. They’ve struggled at home, enduring five consecutive losses, and have committed turnovers in the last two games.
The absence of curtains only compounds the team’s current challenges, with the next opportunity to face this issue set for Thanksgiving Day against the New York Giants.
“You can’t win games if you turn the ball over five times,” McCarthy noted bluntly. “I don’t care who is lining up. We need to get that aspect corrected.”