CeeDee Lamb not at Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, still running routes and working out

This probably isn’t a good sign for CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys. The star receiver is two time zones away as Dallas starts training camp in Oxnard, Calif.

This is according to Jane Slater, who covers the Cowboys for NFL Network. Slater said Lamb is working out in the Houston area. That is where he grew up.

“I’m told he’s running routes and working out in the Houston area today,” Slater posted on X. “Lamb staying ready as the Cowboys and Lamb’s agent continue to work through the contract extension.”

Of course, he’s only a plane ride away from Southern California. It’s not clear if sides are effectively closing in on an agreement for Lamb’s contract.

#Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb is not at training camp in Oxnard as his holdout continues. I’m told he’s running routes and working out in the Houston area today. Lamb staying ready as the Cowboys and Lamb’s agent continue to work through the contract extension.

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) July 25, 2024

Lamb did not participate in OTAs or minicamp as a negotiating tactic for a higher contract. The wide receiver market is sizzling this summer. Lamb may be shooting for the same amount given to Justin Jefferson, who signed for $35 million a year. Or maybe the Cowboys receiver wants a higher amount.

In fact, Albert Breer, a noted NFL writer for Sports Illustrated, said the Cowboys have only themselves to blame for waiting so long to lock in Lamb. He wrote:

“The reality is Dallas made this bed for itself,” Breer said. “There’s a reason why the Philadelphia Eagles (DeVonta Smith), Detroit Lions (Amon-Ra St. Brown), Miami Dolphins (Jaylen Waddle) and Houston Texans (Nico Collins) moved so aggressively to get their young receivers signed. They knew what was coming, and when the Justin Jefferson extension did come, the numbers should’ve surprised exactly no one.

Jefferson “had a right to ask to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. And he earned that distinction by getting $1 million more per year than (49ers defensive end) Nick Bosa did last summer.

Breer added: “The key word there? Last. Summer. The Bosa contract was out there then, at $34 million per year. That Jefferson landed $35 million per year was, well, predictable. And while Lamb hasn’t accomplished what his draft classmate has in Minnesota, he did amass 135 catches, 1,749 yards and a dozen touchdowns last year, putting him well within his rights at 25 years old to ask for something closer to Jefferson than Smith, St. Brown, Waddle or Collins.”

For some more context, headed into the off season, Tyreek Hill of the Dolphins was the highest-paid receiver at $30 million per year. The market reset by a whopping $5 million. Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals is also in line for a new contract that possibly could surpass the one signed by Jefferson, his former LSU teammate. But Bengals management said the new deal might now come until after this season is finished.