Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb Responds to Contract Holdout Rumors: ‘I’ll Be in Dallas’

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVApril 9, 2024

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CeeDee Lamb’s immediate future is still up in the air, but he didn’t sound like a wide receiver who was planning a lengthy holdout.

“Yeah, I’ll be in Dallas,” he told TMZ Sports when asked about his 2024 plans.

Lamb is entering the final year of his contract with the Dallas Cowboys and is set to make just under $18 million in base salary. However, Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported he is expected to skip the team’s voluntary workout and may not be there for the mandatory portion.

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk suggested “the most likely scenario” is Lamb conducting a “hold in” for the mandatory portion.

Essentially, he would be present in the team facility but not participate in practices so he doesn’t risk any injury before potentially landing a new contract.

NFL @NFLCareer-high in catches (135), receiving yards (1,749), and TDs (12) for WR1 in Dallas.

Is CeeDee Lamb your pick for OPOY? (by @Surface) pic.twitter.com/smY9IvLcrM

Dallas didn’t make any big splashes in free agency this offseason, but Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott are set for free agency after the 2024 campaign. What’s more, star pass-rusher Micah Parsons is under contract through the 2025 season.

If the NFC East team brings back all three on long-term deals, that will be a significant amount of money committed to just three players. They are all stars at incredibly important positions, so the front office may have looked to maximize its flexibility by avoiding prohibitive contracts for this offseason’s primary free agents.

While the two sides will surely have to negotiate before reaching an agreed-upon number, the Cowboys will surely want to keep the wide receiver on their roster.

After all, he is a three-time Pro Bowler in his four seasons and already one of the best players at his position in the entire league. He led the NFL with 135 catches in 2023, which accounted for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.

It was his third consecutive season with at least 1,100 yards, and he is just 25 years old.

Perhaps there will be some type of holdout this offseason, but the Cowboys will be a better team in 2024 and beyond if they keep Lamb on the team.