CeeDee Lamb Absent from Cowboys Training Camp Amid Contract Dispute
CeeDee Lamb will not be at Cowboys training camp when it begins. Multiple reports have indicated that Lamb will not show up to camp on Wednesday after failing to secure a contract extension on par with other top receivers across the league. This development is unsurprising to those who have been following the ongoing saga.
The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday morning that team officials didn’t anticipate Lamb would be joining the team until a contract extension is reached. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero also reported earlier in the day that Lamb would not be on the team flight headed for Oxnard, California, where the Cowboys are hosting training camp. Wednesday is the Cowboys’ official reporting day for training camp, and every day that Lamb misses will result in a mandatory $50,000 fine. Cowboys team buses arrived in Oxnard around 7 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday evening. Lamb is entering the final year of his current contract and is set to make $17.99 million this season.
While Lamb won’t be there on Wednesday, two people with knowledge of the situation told the Dallas Morning News they are hopeful that a deal could be reached this week to avoid a prolonged holdout.
The Contract Standoff
The stalemate between the star wide receiver and the Cowboys has been a prominent story throughout the NFL offseason, intensifying when the 25-year-old skipped voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamp, incurring over $100,000 in fines.
“It’s a business, honestly,” Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis told the Morning News about the situation. “You got to look at it from that side of things and understand it. You got to take care of your family—that comes first. I understand what they’re doing. You just got to go out there and try to prepare as best we can without them or however long we’ll be without them.”
Lamb and the Cowboys have engaged in talks about a new deal in recent weeks, but they haven’t reached an agreement that would make him the highest-paid receiver in team history. Several big-name receivers have landed lucrative contracts this offseason, including Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Comparing Contracts
Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million deal, which includes $110 million guaranteed, averages $35 million per year, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Lamb is looking for a deal in this range, reflecting his value and performance on the field.
As the Cowboys navigate this situation, the absence of Lamb, one of their top offensive weapons, could impact their preparation for the upcoming season. The resolution of this contract dispute will be critical for both Lamb’s career and the Cowboys’ season prospects.
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