Cowboys Rumors: CeeDee Lamb Contract Holdout Could Take Weeks to Resolve

Adam WellsJuly 26, 2024

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Despite having had an entire offseason to work out a new contract with CeeDee Lamb, the Dallas Cowboys don’t appear any closer to signing their star wide receiver.

On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 13:30 mark), The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Lamb’s holdout could take multiple weeks to get resolved:

“CeeDee Lamb is going to demand the money he thinks he’s worth. So he’s holding out. From having conversations, I don’t see this getting ironed out over the next few days. I think this is something we’re going to see leading into next week, maybe even the week after. This isn’t one of those situations where I’m getting vibes, signs, positive attitude from both sides. It just seems like it’s a challenge for the Dallas Cowboys to get there.”

The headlines haven’t been kind to the Cowboys since their 2023 season ended with a loss to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card game. They were the last team in the league to sign an outside free agent.

Lamb, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons are all seeking new contracts. Prescott was the only one who had any contract work done this offseason when he reworked his current deal to open up cap space.

It didn’t help that owner Jerry Jones continued to emphasize the Cowboys were going to be “all in” for the 2024 campaign.

Now that training camp has started, Lamb has decided to make the Cowboys aware of his desire for a new deal. The 25-year-old is not present at training camp as part of his holdout.

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones told reporters on Thursday that Lamb and Parsons are both seeking to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

“Both of them [Lamb and Parsons], rightfully so, believe they should be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league,” Jones said. “Totally respect that. So very difficult situations that we’re trying to work through with them.”

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is currently the highest-paid non-quarterback with an average annual salary of $35 million. He signed a four-year, $140 million extension last month.

Lamb will earn $17.99 million in 2024, which is the final season of his rookie contract. He was named to the All-Pro first team last year after leading the league in receptions (135) and setting career-highs in receiving yards (1,749) and receiving touchdowns (12).

A multiple-week holdout for Lamb would put the Cowboys against the clock going into the regular season. They will play the Cleveland Browns at First Energy Stadium in Week 1 on Sept. 8.