National Football League

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb reportedly holding out of training camp

Updated Jul. 24, 2024 1:51 p.m. ET

Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is holding out of the team's training camp, which starts this week, as he seeks a contract extension, according to an ESPN report on Tuesday.

Lamb, slated to earn $17.99 million in 2024, is entering the final year of the rookie contract he signed after becoming the Cowboys' first-round pick in 2020. He has since established himself as quarterback Dak Prescott's main target in the team's passing game and one of the best all-around wideouts in the entire NFL.

Lamb skipped the Cowboys' June minicamp, which started the day after Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson agreed to the richest non-quarterback contract in NFL history.

The Vikings’ star receiver is getting $110 million guaranteed in a four-year deal that pays $88 million up front and could be worth as much as $140 million.

Lamb and Jefferson were drafted in the first round in 2020, which means both are entering the final year of their rookie contracts.

The average per year on Jefferson’s new deal is $35 million, almost twice the $18 million Lamb is due coming off a career year on a team that has made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.

CeeDee Lamb reportedly holding out of Cowboys training camp

There isn't great urgency for Lamb to get to training camp without many changes on offense in the second year of coach Mike McCarthy calling plays for Prescott and the offense.

In 2023-24, the first year of that arrangement, Lamb had career highs with an NFL-leading 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He broke Hall of Famer Michael Irvin's single-season records for most receptions and receiving yards in franchise history.

The Cowboys are in a precarious position with both Prescott and Lamb entering the final year of their respective contracts this coming season and a likely extension for star linebacker/defensive end Micah Parsons, the team's 2021 first-round pick, also looming in the near future. The Dallas Morning News reported over the weekend that the team is currently prioritizing extension talks with Lamb over those with Prescott.

Lamb's absence is reminiscent of Ezekiel Elliott in 2019. The two-time rushing champ held out the entire camp with two years left on his rookie contract, anticipating that the Cowboys would eventually use the franchise tag on Elliott.

Days before the start of the regular season five years ago, Elliott signed a $90 million extension. He was released in a cost-cutting move before the 2023 season but rejoined the Cowboys this year after spending a year with New England.

How will Ceedee Lamb holding out impact the Cowboys?

The Cowboys didn't expect Lamb to be available when they had the 17th pick in the first round in 2020. Dallas didn't hesitate to grab him, and that development led to the Cowboys trading former No. 1 receiver Amari Cooper before the 2022 season.

Lamb is a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro, including making first team All Pro last season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.