CeeDee Lamb’s holdout this spring might have cost him some leverage with the Dallas Cowboys front office. Usually, players decide to hold out of OTAs and even training camp to use as a bargaining chip in negotiations.
CeeDee Lamb was a holdout this spring
As previously discussed on GH, Lamb missed the Cowboys minicamp during the first week of June:
Lamb has stayed away from the Cowboys’ offseason program, amid stalled contract negotiations with the team.
Set to count $17.9 million against the cap on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, Lamb is looking for a new deal and his price tag likely skyrocketed after the Minnesota Vikings signed Justin Jefferson to a contract extension that completely reset the market.
Last season, Lamb caught 135 passes for 1,749 yards with 12 touchdown catches, signaling that he is eligible to a new deal at the ideal time for him to cash in.
Lamb hauled in impressive numbers when he was the Cowboys’ primary target last season. However, Lamb could have serious competition for targets in the upcoming season after he missed OTAs.
Brandin Cooks stood out at the Dallas Cowboys OTAs
According to Jon Machota of The Athletic, Prescott has a much better connection with Cooks, who is in his second season in Dallas:
The connection between Brandin Cooks and Dak Prescott stood out most. It was a solid rapport last year at this time, but it was obvious during OTAs and minicamp that the two now have a full year working together. They were on the same page in all drills, but it particularly stood out on some deep ball throws. CeeDee Lamb is the Cowboys’ clear No. 1 wide receiver.
There’s no questioning that Cooks is their No. 2. If Cooks stays healthy, he’s capable of an 800- to 1,000-yard season with double-digit touchdowns. QB Trey Lance was the most-watched player during the offseason program. His training camp and preseason play will determine his roster spot and role.
Did Lamb lose leverage by missing OTAs?
As Machota mentions, Lamb is still expected to be the Cowboys’ No. 1 receiver regardless of Cook’s improved status with Prescott. However, a surging Cooks could still take away substantial targets from Lamb. If the Cowboys’ front office can wait for the season to start, they could use Lamb’s decreased numbers as leverage to offer him less money on an extension.
Cooks recorded 64 receptions for 657 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season in Dallas. Lamb’s numbers could diminish substantially if Cooks can get up to 1,000 yards via his improved connection with Prescott.
After all, there’s only one ball to go around, and Lamb wasn’t there to catch it this spring.
