Brandin Cooks compares CeeDee Lamb training camp absence to Aaron Donald

The talk of Dallas Cowboys training camp is somebody who is not even in Oxnard. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is holding out in hopes of earning a new contract extension. Until a deal is struck, he will not be practicing with the Cowboys and is currently training for the upcoming season in Houston.

In what could be a major distraction for Dallas, at least one person is not too bothered by Lamb’s absence. Fellow wide receiver Brandin Cooks knows the talent Lamb possesses and believes he will still put up great numbers when the season rolls around. He’s actually seen this type of situation unfold before while with the Los Angeles Rams.

“He’s the best receiver in the league for a reason,” Cooks said Thursday via Jon Machota of The Athletic. “I played with a guy in Aaron Donald, who if I’m not mistaken, didn’t come to camp three years in a row and won Defensive Player of the Year. And (CeeDee’s) that good as a receiver.”

Donald has four Defensive Player of the Year Awards to his name, three of which came in a four year span. Sometimes, players trust their routine more than being in training camp. And since they have such lucrative contracts, eating the fines does not financially hurt as much.

Lamb is searching for his second contract and is not promised any guaranteed money past this season. Any kind of injury would be detrimental to his future with no contract in hand. As mentioned, this is nothing new in the NFL and something the Cowboys have gone through in recent years.

There will be some high expectations for Lamb to reach up to Donald’s level, though — of course on the offensive side. He is off a career-best season in 2023, catching 135 passes (leading the NFL) for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. Lamb wound up third in Offensive Player of the Year award voting but was named a first-team All-Pro.

An incredible following act is not only wanted but needed by the Cowboys. Cooks is confident Lamb will be prepared when his moment comes.

Until then, Cooks is Dallas’ No. 1 wide receiver in training camp. A decent year of his own unfolded after moving from Houston, going for 657 yards and eight touchdowns on 54 receptions. Dak Prescott can take this time to build a better connection with Cooks and maybe get back toward four-digit receiving yards in 2024.