Cowboys Star Unfazed by Team's Defensive Struggles

CeeDee Lamb says he's used to putting up big numbers despite a weak defense from his college days in the Big 12.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 4:13am

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who played three years at the University of Oklahoma in the high-scoring Big 12 conference, says he's unfazed by his team's defensive struggles. Lamb believes the Cowboys' offense should just focus on scoring points, regardless of how the defense performs.

Why it matters

The Cowboys' defense ranked near the bottom of the NFL last season, but Lamb's comments suggest the team's offensive players are not letting that affect their mentality. This could be an important dynamic as the Cowboys look to improve on both sides of the ball and make a playoff run.

The details

Lamb said he's "used to putting up these kinds of numbers" from his time in the Big 12, where teams were known for having weak defenses. He believes the Cowboys' offense should just focus on scoring points, even if the defense struggles to get stops. Lamb said, "If they do match us, OK, cool. We still have to do this because that's who we are."

  • The Cowboys drafted Lamb in the 1st round (17th overall) in 2020.
  • Lamb has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in every season since his rookie year.
  • In 2023, Lamb had an NFL-high 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.

The players

CeeDee Lamb

A star wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys who played three years at the University of Oklahoma in the high-scoring Big 12 conference.

Jerry Jones

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who acknowledged the team's defensive struggles last season and said "there's no place to go but up on the defensive side of the ball."

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What they’re saying

“Well, for me, brother, I was in the Big 12. I mean to say that with all due respect. My guys know I love 'em. But I'm used to putting up these kinds of numbers. Offensively, okay, if our defense gets a stop, we look at it, like, 'Oh, my God, yes, we can run away with this game.' If they don't, we still gotta go score. We gotta score to win the game anyway.”

— CeeDee Lamb, Wide Receiver

What’s next

The Cowboys possess two first-round draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it would be surprising if they don't use those picks to help restore their defense.

The takeaway

Lamb's unfazed attitude towards the Cowboys' defensive struggles suggests the team's offensive players are focused on their own performance, rather than worrying about the defense. This mentality could be crucial as the Cowboys look to improve on both sides of the ball and make a playoff push.