CeeDee Lamb says he'll be in Dallas this season amid potential holdout
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb expects to be with the team when the 2024 season begins despite a potential holdout looming. TMZ Sports recently caught up with Lamb at a CSA sports memorabilia event in Chantilly, Virginia, and was asked if Cowboys fans should expect him back on the field with the team this fall.
“Yeah, I’ll be in Dallas!” Lamb said. Lamb also told TMZ Sports he’s looking forward to winning with quarterback Dak Prescott and the rest of his teammates.
Lamb is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is expected to miss the Cowboys’ voluntary spiring workout program next week as contract discussions. Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones spoke to reporters about a potential holdout during the NFL annual meetings last month.
“Everybody goes about it a different way,” Jones said. “We’ve had guys who have been around. [Ezekiel Elliott] was never around when he was wanting a contract. So, we’ve dealt with both. We respect Zeke, but you prefer that they’re around when they’re under contract. It’s part of the business. You don’t love it, but it’s part of the business.”
CeeDee Lamb is an ‘elite’ wide receiver
Lamb, is coming off a huge 2023 season, recording 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. His production led to be being named to the All-Pro First Team and his third Pro Bowl appearance.
“He’s out there and he’s more valuable than anybody else,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said at the league meetings. “But (being) that valuable, to have to give up four or five players to have him, you have to get that reconciled. That’s what I’m trying to say. It’s a lot quicker and easier said than done.”
In January, Lamb talked about how he has emerged as an elite player. “I’m definitely one of the elite receivers in this game,” Lamb said, per the Assocaited Press. “I worked my tail off to be that and to say that confidently. It’s good to be elite, but how consistent? How long can you be elite is the next challenge. I’m looking forward to it. Can’t wait.”
Cowboys offense coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said Lamb can make plays even when teams scheme against him. “What I think makes it so amazing is the opponents are trying to take him away,” he said. “I mean, let’s be honest. They’re doing things to try to take him away. And he’s still able to go out there and do that.”
On3’s Nikki Chavanelle contributed to this report.