Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb spent last summer away from the Dallas Cowboys until the two sides agreed to a four-year, $136M deal in late August.
That’s not the case this time around, as Lamb is a full participant for training camp sessions. Following Wednesday’s practice, he delivered somewhat of a warning for the rest of the NFL regarding the upcoming season.
“I feel like the league knows what happens when I’m healthy and I have [starting quarterback Dak Prescott] for a whole season,” Lamb said, as shared by Jon Machota of The Athletic. “But, if you don’t, I will happily show you what it’s going to be like this year, honestly. I’m a dominant receiver. I don’t like to speak highly of myself, but I can’t wait to show you guys.”
Last fall, Prescott went down with a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9. ESPN stats show that Lamb nevertheless finished the campaign tied for seventh in the league with 101 receptions and tied for eighth with 1,194 receiving yards. He also contributed six touchdown catches over 15 games.
Lamb posted those numbers before the Cowboys acquired wideout George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers this past May. Pickens thus far hasn’t done much to silence those who think he needs to “grow up,” but there’s no question he possesses elite physical traits that could make him a dynamic No. 2 option for Dallas.
“He’s an incredible athlete, an incredible football player,” Lamb said about Pickens. “His ability to go up and get the ball, you guys haven’t seen it yet. But those days are literally coming. He’s like a caged animal. And so am I.”
As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had a Dallas team led by first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer as a +180 betting underdog to make the playoffs this season. Lamb and Co. will eventually receive opportunities to respond to such forecasts in September, but he has other things on his mind following all that occurred in 2024.
“I’m getting so much more out of this than people think I am,” Lamb added about taking part in training camp, per Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys’ website. “Just being with the guys and being able to lead and being able to talk and being able to show these guys what I’m capable of doing. Every day, I’m coming out here willing to prove myself every day. I don’t care how much money I got. I don’t care how much money you saw on the Internet. That has nothing to do with my presence on the field.”
