The Cowboys are headed back to Oxnard, California, but Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will not be joining them.
Lamb is holding out from Dallas Cowboys training camp as he seeks a contract extension, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday. Despite ongoing negotiations, no agreement has been reached, and Lamb will officially become a holdout on Wednesday, the team’s official reporting day.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero earlier reported that Lamb was not on the team plane to California, signaling his holdout. This extends an offseason-long standoff between the star receiver and the team. Lamb, 25, has already missed voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamp, incurring fines. Playing on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, Lamb faces a $40,000 daily fine for each missed practice.
In an offseason where many elite wide receivers, such as Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, have secured lucrative extensions, Lamb is seeking similar compensation. The 2020 first-round pick is due $17.9 million in 2024 on his current contract.
Lamb is coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl season, earning his first All-Pro accolade with career highs of 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. Consistently outstanding, Lamb has recorded three straight 1,000-yard seasons following his 935-yard rookie campaign.
Lamb is one of three Dallas stars seeking new deals, alongside quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons. Lamb’s holdout mirrors past instances, such as running back Ezekiel Elliott in 2019 and guard Zack Martin last year, both of whom eventually received extensions.
Lamb’s absence from the Cowboys continues into training camp, making his contract resolution a top priority for the team.