CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will lead the line for the Dallas Cowboys in 2025. Brian Schottenheimer is drawing up plays to run in the campaign, but the situation was very different a year ago.

Lamb, who still had one year left in his rookie contract, asked for a lucrative extension. The Cowboys were in a pinch. They had just made Dak Prescott the highest-paid quarterback in football, and are run by an owner/GM who rarely approves two big contracts in one summer.

Lamb discovered how ruthless Jones can be when the veteran revealed they had no urgency in extending his contract. Thus, the 26-year-old’s extended holdout began.

Fortunately, the Cowboys fans who feared Jerry might end up trading Lamb breathed a sigh of relief. In August, a mere week before the Cowboys’ first game of the 2024 season, Jones agreed to a four-year, $136 million deal with $100 million guaranteed with Lamb.

The former first-rounder was very happy and relieved to hear the extension news. However, looking back at it now, Lamb feels it was the worst moment of his life.

It was the worst, it was the worst ever [moment].

CeeDee Lamb said in a recent video on his YouTube channel

Lamb hated staying away from his Cowboys teammates because he enjoys prepping for the new season.

To miss out on the right preparation with my team, my quarterback [Dak Prescott], my guys, building those bonds off the field, whatever the case may be, I missed out on that… It was a unique situation [for me].

CeeDee Lamb said

He vowed never to go through the same experience again in the future.

That was the first time I ever did that, and I’m praying it’s the last… It should be.

CeeDee Lamb is helping George Pickens settle in at the Cowboys

The Cowboys released their veteran receivers when free agency opened. It created a void and an opportunity to hot and sign another top receiver to partner with Lamb on the front-lines.

Jones discovered that Steelers’ fourth-year wide receiver George Pickens was available for trade. The Cowboys gave the Steelers a 2026 sixth-round and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick.

Pickens seems to be adjusting to life in Dallas very quickly, and the credit goes to Lamb. Coach Schottenheimer revealed via Sports Illustrated,

Those two guys’ relationship is awesome. They’re spending a lot of time together. I think it’s great for CeeDee to have someone like George. Not that George is a young player, but someone that GP really looks up to in CeeDee. They obviously have trained some together.

Pickens, who chose to wear the number three jersey for the Cowboys, is excited about the upcoming season. If he can prove himself, perhaps a lucrative extension will be waiting for him next year.

The Cowboys need both Lamb and Pickens to fire on all cylinders from day one. Last year was a major disappointment for Jerry’s team. Prescott’s injury halted their campaign at only 7 wins. Lamb caught 101 passes for 1194 yards and scored 6 touchdowns.

Pickens, on the other hand, played 14 games for the Steelers in 2024. He caught 59 passes for 900 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. The Cowboys begin their 2025 NFL season with a trip to the den of the Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.