FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has ended his strike and agreed to a four-year, $136 million contract that makes him the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.
The deal includes a $38 million signing bonus, the largest ever given to a wide receiver, and $100 million guaranteed, according to sources.
Lamb was set to play the 2024 season on the $17.99 million fifth-year option of his rookie contract and become a free agent after the season, but the Cowboys were able to retain him through the 2028 season with the new deal.
Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings leads the market at $35 million per season. AJ Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles makes $32 million per year, Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions makes $30.003 million and Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins makes $30 million.
The deal makes Lamb the highest-paid wide receiver in Cowboys history.
In 2020, Amari Cooper signed a five-year, $100 million contract with $40 million fully guaranteed. In 2015, Dez Bryant signed a five-year, $70 million contract with $45 million guaranteed.
By missing training camp and three preseason games, Lamb could be fined more than $3 million, however, the team has the ability to rescind the penalty since it was in his rookie contract.
The Cowboys have three practices this week at The Star in Frisco, Texas, but will get Lamb back into action in a smart way after he was not at training camp in Oxnard, California. Lamb continued to work out on his own, but the club wants to reduce the risk of any type of injury heading into the season opener Sept. 8 against the Cleveland Browns.
Lamb has proven himself worthy of the No. 88 worn by Hall of Famers Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin. Bryant also wore that number. The Cowboys never expected him to be available with the 17th overall pick in 2020. In fact, they rated him the sixth-best player in the draft that year. In his four seasons, Lamb’s 395 receptions, 5,145 yards and 18 100-yard games are the most by a Cowboys receiver, and he set team records in 2023 for receptions (135) and yards (1,749), breaking the marks held by Irvin.
Part of his value is his ability to move all over the formation. In 2023, he played 499 snaps in the slot with 69 receptions for 907 yards and 12 touchdowns. He played 438 snaps in the outside zone with 66 receptions for 842 yards and four touchdowns.
He had seven games with at least 11 receptions in 2023, the most by a receiver in a season in NFL history. His 29 receptions of 20 yards or more tied for the league lead with Hill. He had a 92-yard touchdown reception against the Lions, which was the second-longest catch in team history (Hall of Famer Bob Hayes had a 95-yarder in 1966).
In his first four seasons, he has 32 receiving touchdowns – only Hayes (45) and Bryant (40) have more in team history. He finished last season with a touchdown in nine straight games.
The Cowboys approached Lamb, 25, about offering him an extension in 2023, but talks never moved forward. Lamb skipped the voluntary offseason program for the first time in his career.
The Cowboys believe Lamb's best days are ahead of him, but will he and Dak Prescott continue to be together?
Prescott's contract expires after this season, and while the team wants to sign him to a long-term extension, he could hit the open market because the Cowboys can't use the franchise tag on him.
With the season opener against the Browns approaching, the Cowboys can turn their attention to landing Prescott's contract. They've had conversations over the summer and Prescott said they were headed in the right direction.
With Lamb in the fold, perhaps they can progress even further.
