OXNARD, Calif. – As CeeDee Lamb took to the podium at Cowboys training camp on Wednesday, he took some time to acclimate himself to that seat.
Why? It was the first time he's ever done a press conference with the press at training camp on the larger stage.
It's because Lamb hasn't been to training camp since 2023, after holding out in 2024 while he was negotiating what would end up being a four-year, $136 million deal. Now, he's back on the field with his teammates, something he's missed dearly.
"I don't think anyone here is more excited than me…" Lamb said. "I love every part of being here with the guys grinding. Even when I'm tired, I think about last year when I wasn't here and I wasn't tired and just doing the things that I love with my team and being better on my craft."
"Having this helmet on and being able to work with Dak and talk to Dak and understand, like, what is he seeing, those conversations, those are the type of things that I've missed."
Naturally, being back on the field with a quarterback that's helped him post four straight 1,000 yard receiving seasons is a welcome reunion for Lamb. That said, he acknowledged that his absence from those reps with Prescott at training camp in 2024 made things more difficult to start the year.
"At first, I didn't, I didn't believe it, but obviously I was a little oblivious to the truth…" Lamb said. "I can be as strong, as fast, as explosive as I want to be, but if I can't control it to where Dak understands how explosive or how in and out my breaks I can be, I think I did that essentially just for me, and it's never just for me."
That reality set in for Lamb in Week 8 where the Cowboys lost 30-24 to the 49ers. Lamb had 13 catches for 146 yards and two touchdowns but realized why he still felt off.
"It was during the [San Francisco] game, I want to say the first half, that's when I was like 'Wow, everything that I was doing, it was really just for me,' just making sure that I was in the best shape that I could possibly be in for my team," Lamb said. "Not that I was in the best shape with my team, with the guys that I love."
Even though Lamb continued his streak 100 reception and 1,000 yard seasons, it was an overall tough year in 2024 because of how it ended, where Lamb missed the Cowboys' last two games with a shoulder injury that had lingered for a greater part of the year.
Being in Oxnard gives Lamb a chance to knock some of the rust off earlier and get used to the wear-and-tear of the game earlier, an opportunity he's taking full advantage of.
"I'm getting so much more out of this than people think I am," Lamb said. "Just being with the guys and being able to lead and being able to talk and being able to show these guys what I'm capable of doing."
"Every day, I'm coming out here willing to prove myself every day. I don't care how much money I got. I don't care how much money you saw on the internet, that has nothing to do with my presence on the field."
Does he feel 100% healthy?
"I feel 1,000%." Lamb said with a smile.
In 2025, the personal goal that Lamb has starred in his notes is to be fully healthy and available throughout the entire season. If he's able to do that, Lamb is confident his past track record will speak for itself on the field.
"I feel like the league knows what happens when I'm healthy and I have Dak for a whole season," Lamb said. "But if you don't, I will happily show you what it's going to be like this year. Honestly, I'm a dominant receiver. I don't like to speak highly of myself, but I can't wait to show you guys."
