CeeDee Lamb's ongoing holdout should concern Dallas Cowboys fans. It just isn't worrying one of Lamb's most famous teammates.
Micah Parsons strongly believes Lamb will be with the team before long. In fact, he even received a hint when Lamb recently contacted him.
"CeeDee checked in on me," Parsons said recently, . "He's been watching the practice film and telling me, 'You're going crazy.' We have our talks but, at the end of the day, [he] knows what it is."
It's nice to receive words of support from a teammate of Lamb's caliber, but that doesn't change the fact Lamb isn't at practice. As folks familiarize themselves with the NFL landscape prior to Week 1, Lamb has been a repeat topic of discussion regarding the Cowboys, their quiet offseason and uncertain path forward. His extended holdout has only increased the volume of the hysterics.
Lamb's fifth-year option guarantees him $17.99 million in salary in 2024 -- and nothing beyond that. Lamb knows he needs his future secured before he can risk his earning power by taking the field without a deal in place. It's all part of the business, which the Cowboys have not handled all too well with Lamb.
Paying Lamb is a no-brainer for Dallas, which might be the most frustrating part of this situation. He's been nothing but consistent in his career, racking up 5,145 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns in his first four seasons. He set a career-high mark with an eye-popping 135 receptions in 2023, proving to be the catalyst for the Cowboys offense en route to an NFC East title. This is a deal that should've been done already.
Parsons admitted Dallas misses the star receiver and passively suggested Lamb would return to the team soon enough. Then, as a showman does, Parsons dialed up the intensity, perhaps in an effort to assuage the fears of Cowboys fans.
"CeeDee is a part of this brotherhood whether he likes it or not," Parsons said Tuesday. "He knows he's not going anywhere. The business side, they're gonna take care of it -- no doubt about it.
"On Week 1, he will be suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys."