Dallas Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb skipped offseason workouts in April and could continue his holdout into OTA’s. The former first-round pick and reigning All-Pro is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is currently seeking some much-deserved long-term financial stability. The Oklahoma product is coming off a remarkable season, recording a league-best 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns on 181 targets. The Dallas Morning News previously reported that the two sides will work out an agreement down the road, but no signing seems imminent.
CeeDee Lamb Continues Holdout, Could Trade Happen?
Chances are, the CeeDee Lamb holdout will end in a new contract. However, this is Dallas we’re talking about. The team dragged its feet on the Dak Prescott extension and could have to hand out $60 million per year with the exploding market. This inevitable extension combined with Micah Parsons also scheduled to hit the open market means that there might not be enough money to go around. If someone has to be the odd-man out here, it could be Lamb.
Possible Trade Destinations
Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers parted ways with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams because their massive salaries did not match their on-field production or age concerns. While this was probably a smart long-term decision, it leaves the team without a reliable receiver in the short term. If the CeeDee Lamb holdout doesn’t progress, Los Angeles could move heaven and Earth to secure the star wide receiver. The team currently has over $27 million in cap space, so they can easily afford to give Lamb whatever contract he desires, and pairing the All-Pro with an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert should lead to explosive results.
Carolina Panthers
After dealing with the worst supporting cast in the league last year, Bryce Young finally has a chance to thrive in 2024. While the trio of Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, and Xavier Legette is nothing to write home about, they can support a young quarterback. However, if Carolina is serious about supporting their young quarterback, they’ll end the CeeDee Lamb holdout with a blockbuster trade. Players like Stefon Diggs, A.J. Brown, and Tyreek Hill worked wonders on their young quarterbacks, and Lamb could do the same for the 2023 first-overall pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a good one in George Pickens, but they need somebody else to bring out the best in Russell Wilson. After years of battling the salary cap, Pittsburgh currently has $18.2 million in spending money and could easily end the CeeDee Lamb holdout if they chose to do so. Pittsburgh has tried to trade for a wide receiver with no success, but Lamb could give this team the offensive firepower required to keep up with the Bengals and Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens need more firepower if they want to take down the Kansas City Chiefs. The defense held up their end of the bargain in the AFC Championship Game, but Baltimore’s inability to string together consistent drives ultimately cost them a shot at the Super Bowl. With Odell Beckham in Miami, the Ravens should invest in a star wideout like CeeDee Lamb. Combining Lambe with Zay Flower, Mark Andrews, and Lamar Jackson should give Baltimore the best offense in football.
New England Patriots
If any team knows what a good wide receiver can do for a young quarterback, it’s the New England Patriots. After all, the franchise just witnessed Josh Allen and Tua Tagovailoa transform from potential busts into franchise quarterbacks in large part thanks to the presence of Stefon Diggs and Tyreek Hill, respectively. New England invested in some young receivers during the NFL Draft but could use a proven commodity to make life easier for Drake Maye. CeeDee Lamb is the perfect fit for the job, and the Patriots have the money to make him end his holdout.
Main Photo: Tim Heitman – USA Today Sports
