CeeDee Lamb sent the Dallas Cowboys front office a message Monday morning following reports their rivals were able to cough up money for their No. 2 wide receiver. There was speculation this month that Lamb would hold out of OTAs this spring if he didn’t receive a new deal from the Cowboys.

The Philadelphia Eagles handed DeVonta Smith a bag

REPORT: CeeDee Lamb Not At Dallas Cowboys Workout After Philadelphia Eagles WR Gets PaidFeb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Lamb watched as the Philadelphia Eagles extended DeVonta Smith to a three-year extension worth $75 million. Smith is the Eagles’ No. 2 option at wideout behind A.J. Brown. Lamb, the Cowboys’ best offensive weapon, expects to make much more than the $25 million a year Smith is getting from the Eagles.

CeeDee Lamb was not at Monday’s workout

REPORT: CeeDee Lamb Not At Dallas Cowboys Workout After Philadelphia Eagles WR Gets PaidGreen Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens (34) and safety Anthony Johnson Jr. (36) defend a pass to Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) in the end zone during the fourth quarter of their wild card playoff game Sunday, January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Green Bay defeated Dallas 48-32.
Per Clarence Hill Jr. with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Lamb did not participate in Monday’s offseason program workout with the Cowboys. Per Hill, Lamb doesn’t have a reason to show up without a new contract:

“Per a source with knowledge of the negotiations or lack there of on a contract extension, “why would he,” Hill wrote.

WR CeeDee Lamb is not participating in the Cowboys offseason program.
Per a source with knowledge of the negotiations or lack there of on a contract extension, “why would he”

— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) April 15, 2024

The Dallas Cowboys shouldn’t expect to see Lamb for a while

REPORT: CeeDee Lamb Not At Dallas Cowboys Workout After Philadelphia Eagles WR Gets PaidFeb 2, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Dallas Cowboys CeeDee Lamb (88) participates in the AFC versus NFC Pro Bowl practice and media day at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Monday’s workout is voluntary. Lamb is under no obligation to be present with the team at this point. The mandatory portion of OTAs does not begin until June 4th for Dallas.

Per the Cowboys website, the team understands Lamb might hold out to force the front office to make a deal, but the star wide receiver expects to play for Dallas this year:

While it’s unclear if he’ll ultimately hold out to help hasten that endgame, what he said next leaves no room for interpretation, and should provide a sigh of relief for anyone outside of the building wondering if he’ll take the field in one of the most pivotal Cowboys’ seasons in recent memory..

“Winning — I’m looking forward to winning and being out there with my guys, and making another run at this thing,” he said before circling back with his proclamation. “… Yeah, I’ll be in Dallas!”

It’s all fun and games for Lamb and the Cowboys until June.