Dallas Cowboys two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not present for the first day of the Cowboy's mandatory minicamp as he looks to negotiate a contract extension with Dallas.
Lamb has been the No. 1 option for Dak Prescott since entering the league in 2020, where in his rookie season, he recorded 74 catches for 935 receiving yards, capturing five touchdowns. In his past three seasons, Lamb has grown to show the rest of the league how massive of a threat he can be on the offensive end of the field, capturing three straight 1,000+ yard receiving seasons, surpassing his previous year's receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns each NFL season. In 2023, Lamb once again set new season records in receptions (135), receiving yards (1,749), and receiving touchdowns (12), helping lead the Cowboys to a 12-5 record, tied for second-best in the NFL only behind the 13-4 Baltimore Ravens, and clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC East.
#Cowboys star WR CeeDee Lamb has not been spotted in Dallas for mandatory minicamp, sources say. Lamb has not been present for voluntary OTAs, but is not reporting to minicamp, which subjects a player to fines.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 4, 2024
Lamb seeks a new contract extension. pic.twitter.com/gw2M4Q1Et8
However, Dallas came up short of their preseason hopes at a deep playoff run after being eliminated in the NFC Wild Card round by the Green Bay Packers, 48-32. Lamb recorded a team-high 110 receiving yards on nine receptions, while quarterback Dak Prescott’s two interceptions was the difference maker in the Cowboy's 16-point loss. Lamb is entering the fifth year option of his rookie contract, where he will be paid $17.991 million; however, following Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson’s new four-year $140 million contract extension, Lamb may be looking to opt out of his fifth-year option and sign a similar extension to Jefferson.
BREAKING: Vikings, WR Justin Jefferson reach agreement on 4-year contract extension worth $140M, including $110M guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/SPQ8ha7Ed6
— NFL (@NFL) June 3, 2024
With Jefferson’s $140 million contract ($110 million guaranteed) he has become the highest paid receiver in NFL history, as well as the highest paid non-quarterback in league history. His contract sets a new standard for receivers such as Lamb, who may be looking to be paid more for the value they bring to their organization. While Cowboys fans may not need to fret just yet at Lamb missing the first mandatory event in Dallas’ offseason, as the summer continues, the pressure will continue to rise for the Cowboys if Lamb continues to miss team training due to a contract extension dispute.
