Mike McCarthy on the opportunity for Cowboys wide receivers with CeeDee Lamb away: 'It's big'

CeeDee Lamb isn’t at The Star for the Cowboys OTAs. The Dallas receiver wants a new contract and he may sit out for the foreseeable future to get management to come to the bargaining table.

In the meantime, coach Mike McCarthy is putting a positive spin on Lamb’s absence. The young guys can take reps with the starting offense. They can catch passes thrown by Dak Prescott. Maybe that muscle memory will kick in sometime in the fall if Lamb isn’t around. See, it’s a positive.

“Well, it’s big,” McCarthy said this past week during a media availability. “I think anytime you have an opportunity as a young receiver to get reps, it’s a it’s a huge opportunity. (That’s) especially if it’s with the first group. So I mean, both JT (Jalen Tolbert) and J. Brooks (Jalen Brooks) … those two guys had a really, really nice practices … so I think just anytime you get those extra reps, it’s great for young guys.”

McCarthy added: “because let’s be honest, if you look at the ability to practice and train, the perimeter group, particularly the offensive group … are the one part of your football team that have the best opportunity to get as much live work, full speed work. … And it’s important for guys to take advantage of it.”

Jalen Tolbert looks like he’s added some muscle this offseason as he looks to take another step forward in 2024#DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/e9RG7Zef44

— Nick Harris (@NickHarrisDC) May 22, 2024

Tolbert is headed into his third season with the Cowboys, while Brooks is starting year two. Dallas needs a third receiver to step forward for the upcoming season. After all, they didn’t sign a receiver after allowing Michael Gallup to leave in free agency.

Meanwhile, the contract situation with Lamb likely will go on for awhile. The Dallas Morning News reported that sides aren’t even talking. Lamb, who was a first-rounder back in 2020, still has a year remaining on his contract. But after breaking Cowboys team records for receptions in a season, he wants a bigger check. He’s set to make $17.9 million this season if nothing changes. He’d like a pay increase to $30 million.

His teammates say they understand that it’s a business situation.

“I’m always there for him,” Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks said of Lamb. “My biggest advice is just to make sure you doing what you have to do so you can come ready for training camp, whatever the case may be, so you haven’t missed a beat so they don’t regret paying you.”

Prescott also misses his top target.

“Yes, I mean, that’s my guy,” the Cowboys quarterback told reporters. “Not many more people out there, more swaggier, cooler, better player, than that guy. So obviously you’re gonna miss him, miss having him around. But I’ve been in this situation, it’s business, business is business. He’s got my support and pretty much everybody in this locker room. I know locker room support and so it’s part of it. Hopefully, he’ll get all his and everything he deserves and is worth.”

Lamb wants to be in the same pay conversation as several high profile NFL receivers. Eagles receiver A.J. Brown recently agreed to a deal that will pay him $32 million a season. Tyreek Hill was the first to reach $30 million when he moved from the Chiefs to the Dolphins. Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown also agreed to a deal that pays him $30 million.

The Cowboys return to The Star for OTAs on Wednesday. The start of minicamp is June 4.