Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was notably absent from the kickoff of the team’s mandatory minicamp.
Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed Lamb’s absence which marks a significant development in the All-Pro’s contract negotiations with the Cowboys.
According to reports, Lamb is not expected to attend any of the three-day minicamp, which signals a potential standoff in contract talks.
Lamb’s no-show on the first day of camp subjects him to a fine of $16,953, with the possibility of additional penalties if his absence persists.
Assuming he misses all three days, he could be fined more than $101,000.
Despite skipping offseason activities, Lamb has been engaging in throwing sessions with quarterback Dak Prescott off-site.
However, after the Minnesota Vikings reset wide receiver market by signing Justin Jefferson to a record-breaking four-year, $140 million deal with $110 million guaranteed, it’s safe to say negotiations just got a whole lot tougher for owner Jerry Jones and company.
While Jefferson is considered by most people to be the best wide receiver in all of football, Lamb’s resume stacks right up there with him – and every other receiver in the league for that matter.
The comparisons between Lamb and Jefferson reveal strikingly similar statistics, with both players boasting impressive accolades and superb production on the field.
With recent wide receiver deals, such as A.J. Brown’s $32 million annual contract with the Philadelphia Eagles and Amon-Ra St. Brown’s $30 million deal with the Detroit Lions, Lamb’s path to a record-breaking contract with the Cowboys seems plausible.
Jones, who hinted at impending developments in receiver contracts during the draft, now faces mounting pressure to resolve the situation with Lamb.
While discussions between the two parties have occurred, they have yet to yield a resolution substantial enough to prompt Lamb’s attendance at minicamp.
Clearly, this is a situation that won’t be going away.
The Cowboys are set to report to training camp in Oxnard, California on July 23rd.
Failure to report then would incur daily fines of $40,000, which assumingly adds urgency to the ongoing negotiations between Lamb and the Cowboys’ front office.
What are your thoughts on Lamb’s decision to skip mandatory minicamp?
What type of contract do you think he’s truly deserving of? … Should he receive an extension similar (or less/more) than Jefferson’s?
Speaking of Jefferson, which of the two would you rather have on your team?
In the big picture, when exactly will the two sides come to an agreement (assuming they do)???