Cowboys Face Potential CeeDee Lamb Holdout Amid Contract Extension Talks

This offseason hasn’t been great for the Dallas Cowboys, and the recent reports about their star wide receiver don’t help their case. CeeDee Lamb reportedly might skip the offseason workouts amid the contract extension dispute.

The potential terms of his holdout seem to be an extension of his current deal. If agreed upon, the first-round pick would tie with Miami’s Tyreek Hill to become the highest-paid wide receiver in the league. However, currently at loggerheads with the Cowboys, Lamb might be ready to send a firm message.

CeeDee Lamb might holdout to hasten contract negotiations

Set to enter the fifth year of his rookie contract, the 2020 draft pick expects a pay increase, especially given his performance last season. Lamb achieved a franchise-high in stats with  1,749 receiving yards and 135 receptions in his fourth season with Dallas. Slated to earn $17.9 million in 2024, the receiver is hoping to get a significant rise in the ballpark of $30 million. Unable to reach common grounds with the franchise, the Oklahoma product plans to make his demand clear.

According to Michael Gehlken from Dallas Morning News, Lamb might skip the offseason workouts until a mutual stance is reached regarding the contract. Set to commence on April 15, the training camp wouldn’t be mandatory until June’s minicamp, which gives the WR enough of a window to negotiate with his draft team.

Dallas ideally would want to retain their leading WR, linebacker Micah Parson, having expressed similar opinions in February. “I know they gotta get CeeDee Lamb done. I think that’s the priority right now,” as per NFL Network. This potential move by Lamb would certainly put the Cowboys in a tough predicament after an already disappointing offseason.

Dallas’ offseason moves need revision

If Lamb decides to skip the training camp, it would most likely be an effort to speed up the contract negotiations. This spells out the precise problem of the Cowboys’ approach in this offseason. The franchise has been relying on last-minute deals while making team decisions, which isn’t the best approach for a team aiming for the Super Bowl.

One of the Cowboys’ most pressing concerns is losing their quarterback, Dak Prescott, to free agency. Projected for an estimated market value of a massive contract worth $203 million, the 2016 draft pick awaits an extension. Linebacker Micah Parsons is another player in line despite having professed his wish to be in “Cowboys for life“. Their latest move of restructuring Zack Martin’s deal, freeing up $13 million in their cap space, seems to be a step in the right direction.

With a salary cap space of $255.4 million, Dallas has some important decisions to make ahead of the upcoming season. Lamb’s extension might be the first step in ensuring their roster remains robust and makes it to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive time.

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