As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for minicamp, the spotlight is on Micah Parsons and his ongoing contract extension talks—or lack thereof. However, another Cowboys star, CeeDee Lamb, has recently shed light on his own contract saga from last season, revealing a deeply personal struggle that will surprise fans. In his YouTube docuseries, Lamb opened up about the emotional toll of his brief training camp holdout before signing his four-year, $135 million deal.
Lamb didn’t mince words when describing the experience, calling it “the worst ever.” For a player known for his intense dedication to football, missing out on critical preparation time with his teammates, particularly quarterback Dak Prescott, was agonizing. “For those who know me, they know how serious I take this football stuff,” Lamb said. “Like, with everything in me. I put pride, body, mind, soul, everything I got into winning and the result of it.”
The holdout meant missing more than just practice reps. Lamb emphasized the importance of building bonds off the field with his teammates, something he felt he sacrificed during the negotiation process. “For me to miss out on the right preparation with my team, my quarterback, my guys, just building those bonds off the field, whatever the case may be, you know what I’m saying? Like, I missed out on that,” he explained.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Lamb described it as a “unique situation” and his first time navigating such a high-stakes contract dispute. He expressed hope that it would be his last, saying, “That was the first time I ever did that, and I’m praying it’s the last. It should be.”
Once the ink dried on his contract, Lamb wasted no time proving his worth. Despite playing in only 15 games last season, he racked up an impressive 101 receptions, 1,194 yards, and six touchdowns. With a healthy Dak Prescott back under center in 2025, Lamb is poised to elevate those numbers even further.
Lamb’s candid reflections offer Cowboys fans a glimpse into the emotional and professional challenges their star receiver faced. As the team navigates Parsons’ contract situation, Lamb’s story serves as a reminder of the human side behind the headlines—a side that resonates deeply with players and fans alike.