Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb contract debacle is about to get much worse

If you follow CeeDee Lamb on social media, you have probably noticed that he's working out vigorously ahead of the 2024 season. Fresh off leading the NFL in catches last season and finishing second in receiving yards, the Dallas Cowboys' superstar is hungrier than ever to prove his greatness.

It's been a while since Lamb has shared the field with his Cowboys teammates. Seeking a new contract, Lamb was absent for voluntary spring workouts. He then accumulated more than $100,000 in fines for skipping mandatory minicamp.

Neither absence was considered a big deal. Lamb isn't the first extension-eligible star to bypass spring practices and he won't be the last. Fellow wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Tee Higgins also skipped their team's minicamp as they await new deals.

Again, not at all consequential. With training camp fast approaching, though, the Cowboys' proverbial chickens are coming home to roost, with the Dallas Morning News reporting (subscription required) that Lamb is prepared to sit out training camp without a deal new in place.

Cowboys rumors: CeeDee Lamb to skip training camp without a contract extension

"There’s been little progress on extensions for Prescott and Lamb this summer," writes Calvin Watkins. "For the second consecutive year, there’s a possibility a key starter will hold out of training camp. Lamb missed the entire offseason program and is expected to miss training camp if he doesn’t get a new deal."

Lamb's decision hasn't ruffled feathers among his coaches or teammates. Head coach Mike McCarthy has stated that Lamb has been "engaged" with the Cowboys throughout the offseason. Lamb also has kept in touch with Dak Prescott, so it's not like he's alienated himself amid his holdout.

However, it's concerning nonetheless that we've reached the point that Lamb is going to miss the start of training camp, which is hugely important for the upcoming season.

Jerry Jones has wanted to see more leaves fall before giving extensions to Lamb and Prescott. We're not so sure that the trees in reference have any more shedding to do. While a few QBs have signed lucrative deals this offseason, a barrage of wide receivers have inked new contracts.

The Eagles' A.J. Brown and Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown both got more than $30 million per year before Justin Jefferson reset the market with a lofty $35 million annual salary. Additionally, Jaylen Waddle ($28.25 million AAV ), DeVonta Smith ($25 million AAV), Nico Collins ($24.25 million AAV) and Michael Pittman ($23.33 million AAV) all re-upped with their current teams. Even Calvin Ridley got an even $23 million per year from the Titans as a free agent.

Lamb is rightfully tired of coming in at a discount. There's no sense for Lamb to be present at training camp if he isn't going to practice. Why risk injury before he becomes potentially the richest non-quarterback in league history? Lamb is well within his rights to skip the start of camp. It is shameful on the part of the front office that they've let it come to this.

The latest Cowboys news and analysis