Several top wide receivers have landed lucrative extensions this offseason, including Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown and Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson. Now, two more are looking to do the same.
According to multiple reports, Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb and San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk have elected to skip mandatory minicamps of their respective teams. Both Lamb and Aiyuk are holding out in hopes of forcing their teams to sign them to long-term extensions before the 2024 NFL season kicks off.
Lamb reportedly has a better chance of getting a deal done soon. He is coming off a best season as a pro, totaling 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, all career-highs. Cowboys have shown a willingness to pay their top players in the past, and team owner Jerry Jones repeatedly stated in the past that he wants Lamb locked on a long-term deal.
Aiyuk’s situation is slightly more complicated. While he also had a standout season, which saw him get 75 catches for 1,342 yards and 7 TDs, he isn’t considered his team’s top wideout; that distinction belongs to Deebo Samuel. Additionally, the franchise is reportedly not willing to meet Aiyuk’s asking price and has already drafted WR Ricky Pearsall out of Florida in the first round of the 2024 draft as his potential replacement.
By missing the mandatory minicamp, Lamb and Aiyuk, both stand to be fined $101,716, according to the collective bargaining agreement.
