Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has made it clear this offseason that he’s not running through the attendance log with the media every day but on Tuesday, he confirmed that wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not in the building. The team now begins mandatory minicamp without Lamb as the fifth-year star begins a legitimate holdout for a contract extension. McCarthy discussed the former first-rounder’s “business situation,” while insisting he’s still very “engaged” with what the team is accomplishing and still building relationships even if he’s not on the field.
“CeeDee’s in a business situation but everybody’s engaged,” McCarthy said on Tuesday. “I’ve got no qualms about our best being ready.”
While Lamb sits out, another star has returned. Edge rusher Micah Parsons arrived at the Star after showing up on-and-off during the offseason.
“When you talk about veteran players, every offseason program I’ve been a part of, the veterans have workout bonuses and it’s all factored in,” McCarthy said. “It’s about connecting the young players to the veterans. You have veteran players that may miss or not miss but they’re all engaged.
“We’ve had an incredible offseason program. The quality of work within the realm that we can practice in, I feel great about it. We’ll definitely be above the line of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Maintaining the standard is the new goal for Lamb
CeeDee Lamb is missing the mandatory minicamp and incurring fines along the way, but McCarthy still expects the league’s leader in receptions last season to be ready to go come training camp. Asked what he’d like to see as a “next step” for the former Sooners standout, the head coach revealed it’s all about establishing consistent dominance.
“He’s played at such a high level so it’s really just maintaining the standard,” McCarthy said. “He set that last year. We all have a responsibility too to make sure those opportunities are in place.”
Without an extension, Lamb would play the 2024 season on his fifth-year option for $17.9 million. In 2023, he had a career-high 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.
While the team’s No. 1 receiver is away, the younger receivers on the team have an opportunity to get more reps, which, according to McCarthy, is exactly what they’re doing.
“The climate that we have to train in, the receivers are the one group that can really go and get the most out of these training regimens,” he said. “They’ve knocked it out of the park. The young guys have really stepped up. The route running, they’ve done a really good job. I’m very pleased.”
On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings made wide receiver Justin Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history with a four-year extension for $140 million with $110 million guaranteed. It’s a deal Lamb could possibly match or exceed with his extension this offseason.
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