While he waits for a new contract, CeeDee Lamb is continuing to work hard. The standout receiver for the Dallas Cowboys said that although he waits to rejoin his teammates, he has been “grinding” in order to get ready for the season.

Throughout his protracted boycott, which has caused him to miss two preseason games and all of training camp, Lamb has been silent. He shared a video on social media on Friday, August 23, along with a statement regarding his circumstances.

Lamb stated in the video, “We grind until we get that call. Still waiting on it.” “Be the best version of myself and control what I can.”

Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb, who continues to holdout for his new contract, in a new video says:

“Still waiting on that phone call, but until then we grind…control what I can control and that’s to be the best version of me.” #DallasCowboys

(🎥: @itsviso IG) pic.twitter.com/49Qcm66A0j

— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) August 23, 2024

The Cowboys are optimistic that they and Lamb can come to an agreement before the September 8 start of the new campaign. In the last year of his rookie contract, Lamb will make almost $18 million the following season. He wants a big agreement that will pay him nearly as much as the league’s best receivers.

With a salary of $35 million a season, wide receiver Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings is now the highest paid non-quarterback.

Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb’s Deal Is Not “Far Apart”

It’s been a wild ride negotiating with Lamb. As per Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys and Lamb’s representatives had a phone meeting recently. Dallas made Lamb an offer of almost $33 million annually, but he demands more.

There are still undetermined elements of the arrangement, such as cash flow, guarantees, and duration. Adam Schefter of ESPN, however, believes the team is getting close to a deal.

On August 20, Schefter stated on “The Pat McAfee Show” that “I think the two sides aren’t that far apart on a deal.” “I don’t believe it should be that hard, but once more… This has not gone as planned because he is still not there and has not completed camp. According to what I hear, the two sides aren’t all that far apart, and CeeDee Lamb and others think that they will find a way to put their differences aside so that she can attend Week 1.

"I and others believe that CeeDee Lamb will be with the Dallas Cowboys for week one..

I think they find a way to figure out a deal"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/MVOhjmutqA

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 20, 2024

Lamb had a league-high 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns at the end of the previous campaign.

Not Concerned About CeeDee Lamb, Are Cowboys Being Ready
Lamb has been getting ready for the season on his own and hasn’t been with the team. Even if it comes down to the wire, the Cowboys have stated that they are not concerned about Lamb being ready to go when the season begins.

“CeeDee is missed.” We adore CeeDee. When he gets here, he’ll be fantastic. On August 9, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy stated, “He’s in the middle of a business situation.” “Everything that occurs in fight club seems to stay in fight club. It is his business what occurs in the corporate world. Yes, we are completely confident in his work ethic and know that he will arrive at the office prepared to work and go as soon as the opportunity arises.

Lamb’s All-Pro pass-catcher has received encouragement from his Cowboys colleagues as well.

Whether he likes it or not, CeeDee is a member of this brotherhood. He is aware that he will never leave. On August 13, linebacker Micah Parsons stated on the Cowboys’ official website, “The business side, they’re gonna take care of it — no doubt about it.” “He will be suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys on Week 1.”

On Saturday, August 24, the Cowboys play their last preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cleveland Browns will be their first opponent in the regular season.

According to reports, the Cowboys might still be planning to trade Trey Lance.

The Cowboys’ possible replacement for Dak Prescott, Trey Lance, is the main focus of the subplot surrounding the drama surrounding whether Prescott signs a new contract or plays out the final year of his contract and reaches free agency in 2025. Dallas brought Lance in with the intention of using him as leverage in the Prescott negotiations. Whether they have succeeded in doing so is debatable.

However, when he stated last week that Lance will definitely make the 53-man roster when the team needs to make its final cuts in the next few days, general manager and team owner Jerry Jones raised some eyebrows. It has been assumed that Jones’ remarks indicate Lance will wear a Cowboys uniform for the first time in Week 1.

Ah, but not so quickly, as longtime Athlon team insider Mike Fisher puts it. Fisher pointed out that Jones’ statement just indicates that Lance won’t be let go on August 31. It does not imply, however, that he will not be dealt after that. There may be a need for Lance as rosters clear out and injuries happen.

Fish writes that many are misinterpreting Jones’ remarks.

He said, “Many media sites are now saying that Lance is not going to be traded since he is expected to make the 53-man roster (as was always the case).

“That is a far cry from what Jerry stated. It’s also not even close to being true.

Trade for Trey Lance Is Difficult to Close

Naturally, trading Lance won’t be simple. There will be quarterbacks ahead of him when the backup quarterback market develops the following week. Teams might consider Bailey Zappe of the Patriots or Taylor Heinicke of the Falcons. Fisher also mentioned that the Browns are probably going to try to get rid of Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

The idea of receiving back the same fourth-round pick they forfeited to the 49ers in order to acquire him would also be a problem for the Cowboys. Dallas refused to part with Lance for anything less than what they had originally given up to acquire him.

Naturally, Lance hasn’t played a down for the Cowboys yet. After being largely redshirted the previous season, he is now projecting to be Cooper Rush’s and Prescott’s backup. In two preseason games, Lance has performed admirably, going 40 for 64 passing for 339 yards and one touchdown in addition to 13 carries for 78 yards and another touchdown.

Cowboys consistently kept quarterback in place

However, Fisher made the point that nobody should have expected anything different from the surprising response to Jones’ statement that Lance would make the team.

He stated, “Of course he’s gonna make the team,” in a video posted on his YouTube page. He was bound to make the squad. Had he done something truly heinous off the field, he would never have made the squad. And this is the reason, no nonsense. For three reasons:

“First, he has an upside. They don’t know where the ceiling is that he has up there. We have no idea where the ceiling is located, and it’s way up there. That is the top priority.

“Two, they gave him a fourth-round pick, and when I say I, I mean them. I don’t want egg on my face.” I’m going to stick with them.

3. $5.3 million is assured. When a guy has a $5.3 million guarantee, you don’t cut him unless absolutely necessary.

But in regards to Rush, that does put the Cowboys in a difficult situation. They could theoretically continue to use three quarterbacks, but that may hurt their depth at receiver or running back, positions where they desperately need support.

They might take a chance and add Rush back to the practice squad when he is released. Rush has a decent reputation in the NFL, but it’s unlikely that any team would select him on their 53-man roster if he is released. Thus, it is feasible.

But this weekend, when Lance and the Cowboys play their last preseason game against the Chargers, everything will become evident.