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2 Cowboys stars absent from start of OTAs

Originally posted on Inside The Star | By Shane Taylor | Last updated 5/21/24

The Cowboys opened their Organized Team Activities Tuesday morning, but both Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb are absent.

This is not a surprise when it comes to Lamb, but I thought maybe Parsons would show up like he did last year after skipping the offseason program.

Parsons clearly wants a new contract like Lamb, but Parsons agent said in April that his absence from the voluntary work was not about his contract, which may be true, but I was holding out hope he would show face.

Micah's situation is a bit different than Lamb. He has two years left on his rookie contract, with a salary of just under $3 million this year and $21.3 million next year.

Lamb is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract with the Cowboys while Parsons still has two years of team control left on his after Dallas picked up his fifth-year option this offseason.

Who Is There?

Well, according to Clarence Hill a Cowboys writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, he said on twitter that Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, Zeke and Brandin Cooks are all present today.

That is a good thing, they still have veteran leadership on hand. Dak Prescott is even waiting for a possible deal, but will likely have to earn it again this season.

The team can only do what they can with who is there, and with the new CBA, players will have to show up for week one, so Lamb and Micah will be there in time, just not right now.

Lamb is set to make $17.99 million this year on the fifth-year option and is eligible for the franchise tag in 2025, but he wants to be paid as one of the top receivers in the NFL now.

Lamb and Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson both are waiting for new deals. This is why I continue to say that Dallas NEEDS to get this done before Jefferson signs!

Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase also is seeking a long-term extension. All three hope to reset the market. The Cowboys could have made this so much easier on themselves if they just got like done months ago.

Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill's $30 million a year average is the highest at the position currently.

Lamb led the league with 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns last season in earning All-Pro honors for the first time. He has proven he is worth the money.

Both Still Staying Ready

I am not really worried about them both not being there because they both are making sure to keep themselves up to speed and ready for the season in September.

“[The absence] doesn't matter right now,” said offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer ahead of the start of voluntary OTAs. “CeeDee's a pro. He's going to know what to do. I know Dak and the guys have some communication with him.

That is trust 100%. Lamb has a real chance to do some special things going forward in a Cowboys uniform.

As for Micah, he has been all over twitter.

Micah has been seen over in Japan going 1v1 with a sumo wrestler earlier this month, he is doing what he needs to do to stay hungry.

He was also shown on twitter today boxing and doing some cardio.

It is nice and all that he is grinding outside of the this, but with a new defensive coordinator in Mike Zimmer and a new system, don't we think it would be smart to be there? Just my thoughts on that.

Parsons wants to be great, so he for sure will not let himself not be in tip top shape by the time the season rolls around.

I would love nothing more than the teams two best players to be in the building, but I am more mad that Jerry won't get deals done.

We will see if the Cowboys end up getting either deal done by September, but if they don't the price is only going to go up.

This article first appeared on Inside The Star and was syndicated with permission.

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