CeeDee Lamb’s extended holdout with the Dallas Cowboys is now over, and the All-Pro receiver is now one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in NFL history, just behind Justin Jefferson.
Lamb and the Cowboys agreed on a four-year contract worth $136 million, with $100 million guaranteed, according to three people who know about the deal but spoke to The Associated Press anonymously since the extension has not been publicly announced.
Lamb missed all of training camp in California after also skipping mandatory minicamp earlier in the offseason. His absence began the day after Jefferson signed a $140 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback.
Lamb’s new contract averages $34 million per year, which is about twice what the 25-year-old former Oklahoma player will make in the last year of his rookie contract this season.
Coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the deal was in place. “The reaction obviously was great,” McCarthy said during a conference call that was set up before the deal with Lamb was finalized. “Everybody in the office was fired up.”
Lamb was selected 17th overall in the 2020 draft, and the Cowboys were surprised he was still available and quickly picked him, even though they didn’t need a receiver at that time.
Jefferson was picked five spots later and had over 1,400 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons. While Lamb wasn’t as prolific early on, he made significant progress last season with 1,749 yards and an NFL-best 135 catches, along with 12 touchdowns, setting new career highs.
The deal was reached 13 days before Dallas’ season opener at Cleveland on September 8. This gives the Cowboys more time than they had five years ago when running back Ezekiel Elliott ended a preseason holdout just four days before the opener.
Before leaving for California, Lamb spent a lot of time working with quarterback Dak Prescott. They now have a few practices to strengthen their connection before the game against the Browns.
Prescott was confident that Lamb was staying in shape while away from the team, and Coach McCarthy agreed with this.
“I don’t think conditioning will be a problem,” McCarthy said. “It’s really about improving their connection and focusing on the details. Lamb needs to get used to physical play, contested catches, and balancing contact, which only happens in games.”
Although Lamb’s early career stats weren’t as impressive as Jefferson’s, he has shown steady improvement in catches, yards, and touchdowns each season. Lamb’s first 1,000-yard season and his first of three consecutive Pro Bowls came in his second year.
Achieving even better stats in his fifth year will be challenging as the Cowboys aim for a fourth straight playoff appearance after three consecutive 12-5 seasons. Dallas has a 1-3 record in the postseason during those years.
“Last year’s numbers set a high standard,” McCarthy said about Lamb. “I believe he can reach it. We want everyone to be playing their best football by the end of the regular season, and if that means big numbers, we’d all be pleased.”
