Though it may seem absurd at this point, there’s a chance that the Cowboys and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will carry on their game of contract chicken into NFL training camp, which could turn into a holdout from Lamb. Eventually, this could generate enough bad vibes that Cowboys brass decides to give up and trade Lamb to another team.
Long shot, for sure. but conceivable as well.
Lamb may face a fine of up to $100,000 for skipping last week’s required practise sessions. If he reports to training camp without a new contract, those sanctions will still apply, and it’s likely that Lamb will remain a holdout who doesn’t show up.
There will be a small probability of a transaction as long as the chaos persists. With packages from the Patriots, Steelers, Chargers, and Packers, Bleacher Report published a piece headlined, “4 Trade Packages for CeeDee Lamb That Cowboys Couldn’t Deny amid NFL Holdout,” in keeping with that spirit. Even while each of the proposals is intriguing in its own right, it’s reasonable to say that the Cowboys could turn down any deal for a player of Lamb’s talent.
The Packers’ offer is perhaps the best of the lot since it gives the Cowboys—who, after Lamb, are noticeably lacking in receiving depth—two guys with star potential. The proposal is as follows:
There’s no denying the Cowboys’ attraction. Watson and Doubs have both demonstrated their ability to be the NFL’s top receivers. Cowboys supporters will undoubtedly recall Doubs’ six receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown versus Dallas in the playoffs, as well as his 59 receptions for 674 yards and eight touchdowns the previous season.
With a 4.37 40-yard sprint in college, Watson is among the league’s quickest players and has a greater upside. However, Watson’s career has been hampered by hamstring ailments, limiting him to only 20 appearances over the course of two seasons.
Reed is the greater value because, barring a mega contract, he would replace Lamb and perform well from the slot in his rookie season.
“We’re presenting the idea of Dallas landing one primary slot guy to more directly replace Lamb (Jayden Reed) along with one of two talented but generally disappointing outside figures,” writer Brad Gagnon said regarding the situation.
“The Cowboys would be foolish to turn away from them as well as some Day 2 draft capital ahead of such an odd-looking season,” the statement reads. “All come cheap right now.”
Lamb is now awaiting the completion of a new contract with the Cowboys; this process should accelerate with the signing of Justin Jefferson, the second key franchise receiver, to a contract with the Vikings.
This Monday, Jefferson agreed to a four-year, $140 million contract, making him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. It’s unknown if Lamb will accept a deal that is somewhat less valuable than Jefferson’s or if he would demand more. He’ll probably end up somewhere in the same range, maybe with a lower guaranteed salary.
As far as football receivers go, Lamb and Jefferson may very well be tied for first place, or at least first in the NFC. After finishing the previous season with 135 catches and 1,749 yards, he topped the league in receptions. Over his career, he has averaged 78.0 yards per game; in the previous season, he had 102.9 yards per game.
With a 91.2, Lamb tied for fourth place among the grades for 2023 wide receivers on Pro Football Focus. That was behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brandon Aiyuk, and Tyreek Hill, who makes an average of $30 million annually. He was tied with Jefferson and Nico Collins.
