CeeDee Lamb contract: Why Cowboys WR is holding out of training camp amid salary negotiations

Kyle Irving

CeeDee Lamb contract: Why Cowboys WR is holding out of training camp amid salary negotiations image

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.

YearAgeValue
202425$17.99 million
202526UFA

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

RankPlayerAverage annual value
1Justin Jefferson, 49ers$35 million
2A.J. Brown, Eagles$32 million
3Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions$30.002 million
4Tyreek Hill, Dolphins$30 million
5Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins$28.25 million
6Davante Adams, Raiders$28 million
7Cooper Kupp, Rams$26.7 million
8DeVonta Smith, Eagles$25 million
9Nico Collins, Texans$24.25 million
10DK Metcalf, Seahawks$24 million

Top NFL wide receiver contracts in total value

RankPlayerValue
T-1Justin Jefferson, Vikings$140 million
T-1Davante Adams, Raiders$140 million
3Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions$120.01 million
4Tyreek Hill, Dolphins$120 million
5Amari Cooper, Browns$100 million
6A.J. Brown, Eagles$96 million
7Calvin Ridley, Titans$92 million
8Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins$84.75 million
9Keenan Allen, Bears$80.1 million
10Cooper Kupp, Rams$80.1 million

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.