NFL Training Camp 2024: CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott Negotations Looming over Cowboys
We're officially there.
Veterans have reported to all 32 NFL training camps, which means pro football is back. And as a result, so is the buzz.
With injury news flaring up and contract situations boiling over, here's a rundown from camps on Wednesday.
Dak, CeeDee Extension Talks 'All Quiet'
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Ahead of what might be a make-or-break season, two of the centerpieces of the Dallas Cowboys' roster remain unsigned beyond this season. And at least one of them isn't expected to be present as the team opens training camp Thursday.
Contract negotiations with quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb were "all quiet" as of Thursday, according to NFL Network's Jane Slater. And Lamb is not reporting to camp as his holdout continues, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The two are slated to cost the team more than $73 million in salary-cap space in 2024 alone, so it would theoretically make sense for Dallas to get something done long-term.
However, you can see what the Cowboys might be thinking here. In this era, holdouts almost never linger deep into seasons. It's too late for the team to make any big splashes in free agency anyway, so it's possible they're going all-in on this season with the idea that they'll blow things up at no cost if this core again fails to come through when it matters most.
The Cowboys also will be on the hook for big Micah Parsons money soon, as the two-time first-team All-Pro linebacker is on track to hit free agency following the 2025 season.
If this season doesn't pan out, the Cowboys could easily opt to let Prescott and Lamb walk and move on from head coach Mike McCarthy, among others.
These events only bolster that narrative.
Brandon Aiyuk Not Practicing at the Start of 49ers Camp; Trent Williams Absent
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Despite the fact he recently requested a trade following a tumultuous offseason of contract chatter and consternation, star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was present at the start of San Francisco 49ers camp on Wednesday.
According to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, Aiyuk was not in uniform and was only an observer.
"I don't really know what it means," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday. "It just means his back is sore today and his neck is sore. So going to stay out of practice, which obviously is a hold in. And so we expected it, and I understand the situation fully."
None of it is surprising considering how heated the situation has become, but it's also a reminder nobody should hit the panic button. Again, holdouts are rare and fleeting in the current NFL, and only a few weeks ago Aiyuk did say he "for sure" wants to play in San Francisco this season. This thing has been hot and cold, and what's happening now likely has a lot more bearing on 2025 than 2024.
However, it's compounded by the fact venerable veteran left tackle Trent Williams didn't show up to start camp for contract-related reasons, per head coach Kyle Shanahan. The head coach didn't seem too concerned about Williams, who has two years remaining on his current deal and likely just wants more guaranteed money.
That being said, this is a huge year for third-year quarterback Brock Purdy and the rest of the 49ers offense as they prepare for a big season with stiff competition inside and outside of the NFC West. And it is far from ideal that Purdy is going to work without two of his key supporting cast members at the outset of camp.
No Limitations for Anthony Richardson
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A lot of hype and excitement surrounding Anthony Richardson's rookie season went out the window when the uniquely talented No. 4 overall pick suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in October.
Now, despite the fact he was often limited while experiencing linger effects of said injury during organized team activities, Richardson is back, baby.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard told the media Wednesday that Richardson will be ready to roll at camp.
"I'm not expecting any limitations right now," Ballard said on The GM Shuffle podcast.
It's an exciting development for the 22-year-old and fans of a team that managed to win nine games while working without Richardson for most of the 2023 campaign.
Daniel Jones Fully Cleared for the Giants
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Meanwhile, another high first-round pick with a lot to prove at quarterback also brought about promising health news Wednesday when New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll announced that Daniel Jones has been cleared for contact to start training camp.
The highly-paid, underachieving 27-year-old missed the second half of the '23 season with a torn right ACL.
It's big, because Jones probably only has this season to prove he's worthy of his salary, or an NFL starting job in general. He hasn't thrown more than 15 touchdown passes in a single season since he was a rookie in 2019, and the Giants can get out of his four-year, $160 million contract while saving more than $22 million in cap space if they cut ties after this season, according to Spotrac.
Every practice snap counts, especially as Jones adapts to a new-look offense that no longer has standout back Saquon Barkley and has added rookie Malik Nabers to the receiving corps via the No. 6 overall pick.
Mike McDaniel on Tua: 'It's Very Fluid'
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The good news out of Miami Dolphins camp Tuesday was that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was present amid ongoing contract talks ahead of the franchise quarterback's option year on his rookie contract.
Wednesday, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel expanded.
"I think it's important to acknowledge that Tua's in the midst of a contract negotiation," McDaniel said Wednesday. "That's important to him and the football team. That being said, we communicate very well. It's very fluid. We're taking it day by day. Today I expect it to be kind of like OTAs, and we'll move on from here."
Look for Tagovailoa to continue a trend from the rest of the offseason in which he participated in some workouts but refrained from others. However, it's not apparent this rises to the level of a "hold in" just yet.
Hence the whole "fluid" thing.
It appears the two parties are closer than a lot of similar situations leaguewide, which is promising unless you're a Jets, Bills or Dolphins fan. Still, expect daily updates and comments on this until it's eventually settled.
Key Receivers Are on the Sideline in Kansas City
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Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs are coming off back-to-back Super Bowls, but Mahomes helped guide the Chiefs to those titles despite the fact his receiving corps has often lacked reliability and/or consistency.
Early in Chiefs camp, that rebuilt unit has taken some hits.
First-round rookie Xavier Worthy has missed three straight days of practice due to a lingering hamstring injury, according to ESPN's Adam Teicher. And while the team can afford to bring the speedster along somewhat slowly with Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown and Justin Watson in the receiving corps, Watson left practice Wednesday due to a foot injury,
Even if both pass-catchers eventually get back on the field, the lost time is not great as Mahomes and Co. look to begin down the path of making history with three consecutive championships.
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