CeeDee Lamb not present at start of Cowboys' voluntary offseason workouts

With no extension in sight, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb made himself scarce as the team opened voluntary offseason workouts.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, citing an informed source, that Lamb was not present at the offseason program’s first day on Monday.

It’s not surprising that Lamb chose not to participate in the initial part of the offseason’s voluntary workouts, which are primarily meetings and conditioning.

The thrice-named Pro Bowler is poised to embark on the fifth year of his rookie contract, with a fully guaranteed income of $17.991 million. Considering his performance and significance to the Cowboys, Lamb is expected to earn much more in the coming years.

With the division rival Eagles handing DeVonta Smith a three-year, $75 million extension, the optics of Lamb skipping workouts are only heightened. Lamb is likely targeting well more than Smith’s $25 million-per-year average, and with the likes of Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase also up for new deals, the cost could rise the longer the process plays out.

Lamb’s absence from the voluntary offseason program is a typical part of the negotiation process. This absence serves to remind the public that a deal still needs to be finalized. If Lamb chooses to miss the mandatory minicamp in June, it would be a more significant statement. Furthermore, if a deal is not reached by July and Lamb decides to either hold out or participate in a hold-in during training camp, it would further escalate the situation.

Lamb currently missing workouts is significant, but there is still an opportunity for a deal to be finalized.