This summer featured a notable contractual holdout from show-stopping receiver CeeDee Lamb. Although his presence at Cowboys camp in Oxnard, CA was deeply missed, supporters of “the star” can now breathe a sigh of relief.
Lamb To Remain In Big D
On Monday afternoon, Dallas and Lamb reportedly agreed to an extension that will make the Oklahoma alum the second-highest paid receiver annually (after Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings).
Per NFL Insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Lamb has agreed to stay with the Cowboys on a four-year, $136 million extension.
“If anybody can figure out how to get this **** done, I can figure out how to get it done,” team owner Jerry Jones told DLLS Sports. “There’s nobody that could ******* come in here and do all the contracts (…) and be a GM any better than I can.”
Naturally, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones took the time to beat his chest over the airwaves, reveling in the renewed deal to DLLS Sports on Monday.
Rolling In The Dough
The reported contract includes a hefty $38 million signing bonus, which is the most for any wide receiver in league history. Yes, that is on top of the $34 million Lamb is slated to make after each season.
According to Spotrac, Dallas is set to have the sixth-highest total cap in the NFL for 2024. From there, the Cowboys potentially have an albatross contract on the horizon via quarterback Dak Prescott.
Of course, when it comes to the ‘Boys, it is “Jerry’s World” and the rest of us are just living in it.
A Perennial Playmaker
Given Lamb’s statistical production since entering the National Football League in 2020, he has thoroughly earned his payday.
When looking at his past three campaigns in particular, Cedarian DeLeon has cemented himself as an elite player as his position. Playboy dropped its list of “5 Buzziest NFL Quarterbacks Entering 2024-25” earlier this week, but if we also featured one for the wide receivers, Lamb would absolutely be on it.
Dating back to 2021, the Cowboy speedster has churned out 4,446 all-purpose yards along with 29 total touchdowns. Still, Lamb truly put the league on notice last year.
In 2023, the latest great Dallas wideout to dawn jersey No. 88 paced the NFL in receptions (135), targets (181) and YAC (680). Also, Lamb’s 1,749 receiving yards were second only to Tyreek Hill (1,799) of the Miami Dolphins. Either way, Lamb did well to collect his initial First-team All-Pro designation a season ago.
Unfinished Business
As always, the Cowboys have lofty standards for the coming year. Prior to Week 1, DraftKings Sportsbook labels Dallas with seven-to-one odds to reach Super Bowl LIX. That +700 price is good enough for fourth-shortest in the NFC.
However, the ‘Boys have not played for a league title in nearly 30 campaigns. They’ve qualified for the postseason three-years running but have endured expeditious exits each time. If you’re wondering, Lamb has compiled 24 catches, 316 receiving yards and one score throughout four career playoff contests.
In regards to the 2024 regular season opener (Sep. 8), Dallas is currently a 2.5-point road underdog at the Cleveland Browns. Considering Lamb for AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year? DraftKings has Lamb listed at 10-to-1 odds in the upcoming OPOY betting market.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has guided Big D to 37 wins over his three-year tenure. Still, only one of those aforementioned 37 victories occurred during the postseason. Simply, the pressure is all the way up in the Metroplex.