OXNARD, Calif. — There was a chance that CeeDee Lamb would be absent at the start of the Dallas Cowboys return to Oxnard for 2024 training camp, considering he began his official holdout in June by not being present for mandatory minicamp. That has now spilled over into late July as he and the organization continue to hammer out the details of a new contract.
Lamb, 25, is coming off of a record-breaking season and he's proven himself not simply the best receiver in Dallas, but arguably the best in the entire NFL at the position.
That is evidenced by both film and statistics, considering Lamb produced a whopping 1,749 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns on 135 catches to go along with two rushing touchdowns (and six rushing first downs) because, yes, he operated as a running back on occasion as well.
With that type of production, it's a foregone conclusion Lamb will eventually become one of, if not the, highest-paid receiver in the league alongside Justin Jefferson — the Vikings' wideout being awarded his multi-year deal earlier this summer.
The most prominent recent Cowboys holdout was perennial All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, who made his appearance days into camp after his deal was successfully renegotiated. And though Martin was subject to sizable fines for his absence that were unforgivable, per the league, the CBA allows for any player on a contract to have his forgiven by the club, if the Cowboys were to exercise that right.
Lamb is currently still on his rookie deal via the fifth-year option having been triggered in 2023.
Until the Pro Bowler appears on the practice field, having worked plenty this offseason with fellow All-Pro and Cowboys' quarterback Dak Prescott off-site, it will be incumbent upon others like Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, KaVontae Turpin and rookie sixth-round pick Ryan Flournoy, among others, to take advantage of the added opportunities to show what they can do in the battle royale at the position behind Lamb and Brandin Cooks.
In April, Lamb made it clear he'll be with the Cowboys in 2024, making his holdout (and fines) simply the cost of doing business.
"Winning — I'm looking forward to winning and being out there with my guys, and making another run at this thing," he said. "… Yeah, I'll be in Dallas!"
The only question now is when.
