NFL Rumors: Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb, Bengals' Tee Higgins Expected to Miss OTAs | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
David Craig A pair of star wide receivers are not expected to be with their respective teams at the start of OTAs due to their contract situations.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb will both be absent.
Higgins previously requested a trade from the Bengals after he received a franchise tag, while Lamb is set to enter the final year of his contract after Dallas picked up his fifth-year option.
Lamb also did not participate in the Cowboys' voluntary offseason workouts as he awaited a new deal. Dallas has been patient when dealing with extensions for key contributors such as Lamb, Micah Parsons, and Dak Prescott.
Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones mentioned that the team would be taking things slowly in long-term contract discussions when speaking to reporters ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.
"We'd like to see more leaves fall," Jones said, per Patrik Walker of the team's official website. "We'd like to see more action. It's called option quarterback. I've spent my life [playing] option quarterback. I want to see some more cards played."
Lamb is coming off a career year in 2023, setting multiple single-season franchise records with 135 catches for 1,749 yards. His production has steadily increased in each year since he was drafted in 2020, earning three Pro Bowl nods.
NFL @NFL49-yard CeeDee Lamb TD!<br><br>📺: <a href="">#DALvsMIA</a> on FOX<br>📱: Stream on <a href="">#NFLPlus</a> <a href=""> <a href="">
As for Higgins, his frustration stems from a lack of communication regarding a new contract as well as the franchise tag designation. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on March 11 that the 25-year-old "hoped to be with the team long term" but was disappointed that the front office had not entered discussions regarding a long-term deal "since March 2023."
With other receivers earning lucrative extensions in the 2024 offseason such as Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions and A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, Lamb and Higgins are reportedly prepared to skip OTAs as they search for new contracts of their own.
