Are the Cowboys lucky it never came to this?
After months-long contract negotiations with star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, which featured Lamb holding out and missing virtually all of Cowboys training camp prior to the start of the season, Dallas was finally able to ink a deal in time to get Lamb back practicing with the team and ready for Week 1 vs. the Browns last Sunday.
Lamb had a strong showing in Cleveland, especially considering he missed all three of the Cowboys’ preseason games. He caught five passes for 61 yards and added another 25 yards on the ground. But, apparently, he was close to not being there at all.
In a recent interview on the “Up and Adams Show” with FanDuel TV’s Kay Adams, Lamb was asked if he would have been in the lineup for Week 1 if he and the Cowboys hadn’t agreed to a deal. His answer will probably leave Cowboys fans feeling thankful the deal got done.
“No,” Lamb responded simply, offering a small laugh and a shrug with his answer.
Lamb discussed the differences in negotiations between himself and Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase, who was a “hold-in” at training camp and saw limited reps in practice as he worked toward a new deal with Cincinnati. Lamb, however, wasn’t critical of Chase and said that he’s going about his negotiations “the right way.”
“I don’t necessarily say we’re in the same position,” Lamb said. “All it’s gonna take is one great game for him to show his worth.”
At the end of the day, though ... crisis averted for Lamb and the Cowboys. Dallas has its star receiver back on the field in time for the games that count, and Lamb has the second-biggest contract of any wide receiver in football.
That, Lamb says, was his primary focus all along.
“For us, it’s just keeping the band together,” Lamb explained, mentioning Dak Prescott’s new deal as well. “That’s what happens when you draft well.”
To see the full interview, click here.
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