FRISCO, Texas — The loudest cheer happened when CeeDee Lamb was announced to the crowd Tuesday night inside the Ford Center. The Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver was back with his teammates just in time for the first training camp practice at the franchise’s headquarters.
Lamb was in uniform for the non-padded practice. He participated in individual drills, catching passes from franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. Lamb did not take part in the seven-on-seven portion as the team works to ramp up his workload as he returns from his contract holdout.
Lamb signed his four-year, $136 million contract extension with $100 million guaranteed on Tuesday. He did not attend organized team activities, minicamp or the five weeks of training camp practices in California. Tuesday was the first time he was back in the facility with his teammates since January.
“I can’t really put it into words,” Lamb said. “I tell them I’m grateful to be here every moment of the day. This whole process was very crazy for me, as we all know. Very bittersweet.”
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb said he never had any doubts that the contract would get done, but added: “I will say, I was getting impatient.” pic.twitter.com/5FgbVEFLQ2
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 28, 2024
Lamb has been working out with his own trainers. He spent time during the offseason catching passes from Prescott on the turf field in the quarterback’s back yard. Lamb put on noticeable muscle weight during his time away. He described that process as adding extra body armor.
“Obviously had plenty of time to revamp myself physically, to become more prepared for the season,” the 25-year-old said. “Granted, I wish I would have had a camp, but it’s OK, though. It will work out on the back end. … I’m ready to go to battle.”
Can he be ready for 60-plus plays in the season opener in 11 days?
“Yes, bro,” Lamb responded. “No question. I’ll be ready.”
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Lamb acknowledged that he needs to get “bumped a little bit” in practice. He has been working on that aspect of his game with his trainers, but he wants to get more reps working on his contact balance before that season opener in Cleveland. Lamb sees no reason why he can’t put up the same impressive statistics he did last season, leading the NFL in receptions (135) and targets (181) and finishing second in receiving touchdowns (13) and receiving yards (1,749). All were career-highs.
One of the more humorous moments of Lamb’s 10 minutes talking to reporters after Tuesday’s practice included an anecdote about his agent FaceTiming him with a contract negotiation update on Monday.
“He hit me with a, ‘Yeah, man, this is going south,’” Lamb recalled. “I was like, ‘What do you mean it’s going south? It’s time.’”
Lamb’s agent responded that the Cowboys only wanted to pay him $34 million per season, which is what the contract averages out to annually.
“I’m like,” Lamb responded, “’Well, where do I sign?’”
CeeDee Lamb on why he posted this Spider-Man photo on Instagram during his contract holdout: “That’s my favorite superhero. He’s entering his villain arc and I’m coming back for vengeance, so that’s what that is.” pic.twitter.com/GKMldW8AJb
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 28, 2024
He said he’s had some emotional moments over the past 24 hours. Knowing how he can financially help his family has been on his mind.
“Retiring my mom,” Lamb said. “Letting my dad know that he’s good. Calling my grandmother, she was crying, that was an amazing time. Just being able to give my family that financial freedom they’ve always wanted, and granted they’ve been working their tail off my whole life. I understand where my grind comes from, my passion. I’m just happy I can do that for my family, my mom, my dad and my grandmother, my brothers, the list can go on and on.
“Put me in a great position now I can go handle my business and go score touchdowns.”
There were some tense moments throughout the holdout, but things sound like they are in a good spot with Lamb and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Lamb said they had a “businessman conversation” after the deal was signed.
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“Just had to clear the room,” he said. “Everything is behind us. I’m not worried about nothing. We got what we needed to get done. Now it’s time for me to go ball.”
Next up financially for the Cowboys is getting a new deal done with Prescott. Lamb is optimistic.
“You look at our numbers together, they’re at the top of the charts,” he said. “I have no doubt that they’re gonna get a deal done. We all know that I want Dak here. Jerry wants Dak here too. So, let’s just get this under control and kill the speculation and let’s go win.”
Cowboys fans happy to have CeeDee Lamb back pic.twitter.com/xt6brMaZwx
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 28, 2024
(Photo: Amanda McCoy / Fort Worth Star-Telegram / Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
