When Mike McCarthy learned that star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys had come to an agreement on a new contract on Monday, he was at The Star.
However, the Cowboys head coach admitted that everyone in the office was ecstatic about Lamb’s official holdout ending for at least a little spell. McCarthy stated, “I was excited, but I think just like anything, you’re being updated on where things stand on a regular basis.” Today was the kind of circumstance I was expecting sooner or later. Getting this done was a nice thing. We’re all relieved, I believe.
McCarthy said this was his “favorite press conference of the year” before taking questions during a nearly 22-minute conference call. Lamb, who was about to reach the last year of his rookie contract, consented to a $136 million, four-year contract with a $100 million guarantee.
With the deal, he becomes the second-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL, after Justin Jefferson of Minnesota. Lamb skipped the five weeks of training camp sessions in California, as well as the required minicamp and organized team activities.
McCarthy remarked, “I think No. 1—it was just great to get the contract in place and obviously have him back.” The weekly program we have planned genuinely fits into a ramp-up phase. Although I don’t think we need to make many adjustments, we will undoubtedly have a strategy for him.
Our strategy is to be as shrewd with him as possible. McCarthy spoke with Lamb sporadically while he was a holdout. When asked if he had ever delved into Lamb’s direct messages, the 60-year-old coach laughed.
He admitted, “I don’t even know how a DM works, and I’m embarrassed to tell you.” “I’ve never, ever DM’d someone. I had a wonderful talk with CeeDee, although the majority of it consisted of us saying “we love you.” eagerly awaiting your return. Additionally, it’s business. That was indeed the conversation’s starting point.
The Star is the location of the Cowboys’ practices on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. After that, they get Tuesday off before starting to get ready for the Cleveland Browns, their opponent in Week 1. Lamb is anticipated to be at The Star on Tuesday. After his meeting with the sports trainers, they will decide whether or not to give him any special treatment on Tuesday during practice.
The fact that the deal was completed this week is not surprising. The sums are comparable to what Lamb most likely would have gotten had a deal been reached before training camp began. However, Lamb’s absence from camp workouts didn’t worry Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, as Lamb was never going to participate in any of Dallas’ preseason games.
Jones probably always intended for Lamb to work independently to stay in peak condition and prevent any injuries throughout training camp, while other wide receivers were given more chances to practice with starting quarterback Dak Prescott and the starting offense. The idea might ultimately work out well, provided Lamb does not suffer any kind of soft tissue damage after missing more than a month of practice with colleagues.
McCarthy remarked, “These athletes train at an unbelievable rate and discipline.” In particular, CeeDee enjoys running a lot. This man will just keep going, so you have to take him out during practice. Actually, I’m more concerned with not overdoing it with him. Overall, I don’t think there will be any issues with the conditioning.
Essentially, it’s merely about the nuances, the small things, the connections. All he needs to do is resume running the routes, participating in seven-on-sevens, and team exercises. He wants his contact balance challenged and needs body-on-body contested catches. Playing football is really the only way to get it.
The focal point of the Cowboys’ offense is Lamb. He is the player that opposition defenders must account for in their game plan. In his second season leading Dallas’ offense, McCarthy is aware that without the All-Pro wide receiver, game preparation would have been challenging.
With veteran Brandon Cooks at No. 2, and younger wide receivers Jordan Tolbert, Jordan Brooks, and KaVontae Turpin following three, Lamb reclaims the top slot. Jake Ferguson, a tight end, will also remain one of the best options in the passing game. Given the severe doubts surrounding the depth chart for running backs and the expectation that two rookies will start on the offensive line, Ferguson will probably be required even more this season.
“He’s got the entire package,” McCarthy stated on Lamb. And CeeDee is as tough as they come, that much is true. He is unquestionably a full player. Having CeeDee there will be beneficial, and we’ll get things moving. Right now, the focus is on getting him warmed up and prepared to take on Cleveland.
Apart from Lamb’s performance on the field, the Cowboys anticipate increased productivity simply from having him back in the building. “Everyone will be fired up when that big smile walks into the locker room,” McCarthy remarked. “He infuses our locker room with that caliber of energy and juice.”
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