Contract Dispute Keeps Dallas Cowboys Receiver Out of Training Camp
NFL teams are gearing up for the start of training camp later this month, marking the beginning of the 2024 season’s preparations. The return of players to team facilities by the end of July signifies a pivotal step towards Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, launching six months of rigorous training for both players and coaches.
The Dallas Cowboys are aiming to break a 29-year Super Bowl drought this year, relying on key contributors from last season to hit the ground running and surpass their Wild Card round playoff exit. One crucial player in this endeavor is wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had a standout season last year with career-best statistics: 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Lamb’s impressive performance has led the 2020 first-round draft pick to seek a new contract as he enters the final year of his rookie deal. However, negotiations between Lamb and the Cowboys have faced challenges, resulting in Lamb skipping the team’s mandatory minicamp earlier this year and accruing over $100,000 in fines. According to reports from the Dallas Morning News, Lamb is now unlikely to report to training camp starting on July 25, which could disrupt the Cowboys’ preseason preparations.
In the wider NFL landscape, several wide receivers have secured lucrative deals this offseason. Notably, Vikings star Justin Jefferson signed a four-year contract worth $140 million, while A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jaylen Waddle have also inked significant paydays. Alongside Lamb, other wide receivers seeking new deals this summer include San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk, Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins.
These developments highlight the competitive landscape for wide receivers in the NFL, with contract negotiations and player preparations intensifying as teams gear up for the challenges of the upcoming season.