The Cowboys will have to kick off 2024 NFL training camp without their most dangerous offensive weapon.
Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has established himself as one of the best players at his position and wishes to be compensated for his production.
Lamb is coming off a breakout year in 2023 in which he led the NFL with 135 receptions, ranked second with 1,749 receiving yards, and ranked third with 12 receiving touchdowns.
All three of those totals marked career highs for the fifth-year wideout, earning him his first-ever First Team All-Pro nomination and a top-three finish for Offensive Player of the Year.
Why isn't Lamb attending Cowboys training camp? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.
Why is CeeDee Lamb holding out on Cowboys training camp?
Lamb is not expected to report to Cowboys training camp on Wednesday after the star wide receiver was "unable to land the type of contract extension that other wide receivers have," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
"Lamb and the team have worked on a new contract but have not been able to come to terms," NFL insider Ian Rapoport added. "Now, he'll officially be a holdout, collecting fines with hopes of reaching a new deal at some point."
Lamb is in the final year of his contract, which would only pay him $17.99 million this season. That would make him the 24th highest-paid receiver in the league in terms of average annual value (AAV), placing him with the likes of Browns WR Jerry Jeudy ($17.5 million).
Lamb's contract value is a far cry from the AAV of his elite peers like Vikings' Justin Jefferson ($35 million), Eagles' A.J. Brown ($32 million), and Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown ($30 million), who have earned megadeals this offseason.
CeeDee Lamb contract
As mentioned above, Lamb is only slated to make $17.99 million during the 2024 season if he and the Cowboys cannot reach a deal. If no extension is completed, Lamb would become an unrestricted free agent going into 2025.
| Year | Age | Value |
| 2024 | 25 | $17.99 million |
| 2025 | 26 | UFA |
CeeDee Lamb age
Lamb is only 25.
He has played four NFL seasons since being selected by the Cowboys with the No. 17 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma.
Highest-paid NFL wide receivers
Top NFL wide receiver contracts in average annual value
| Rank | Player | Average annual value |
| 1 | Justin Jefferson, 49ers | $35 million |
| 2 | A.J. Brown, Eagles | $32 million |
| 3 | Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions | $30.002 million |
| 4 | Tyreek Hill, Dolphins | $30 million |
| 5 | Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins | $28.25 million |
| 6 | Davante Adams, Raiders | $28 million |
| 7 | Cooper Kupp, Rams | $26.7 million |
| 8 | DeVonta Smith, Eagles | $25 million |
| 9 | Nico Collins, Texans | $24.25 million |
| 10 | DK Metcalf, Seahawks | $24 million |
Top NFL wide receiver contracts in total value
| Rank | Player | Value |
| T-1 | Justin Jefferson, Vikings | $140 million |
| T-1 | Davante Adams, Raiders | $140 million |
| 3 | Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions | $120.01 million |
| 4 | Tyreek Hill, Dolphins | $120 million |
| 5 | Amari Cooper, Browns | $100 million |
| 6 | A.J. Brown, Eagles | $96 million |
| 7 | Calvin Ridley, Titans | $92 million |
| 8 | Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins | $84.75 million |
| 9 | Keenan Allen, Bears | $80.1 million |
| 10 | Cooper Kupp, Rams | $80.1 million |
