CeeDee Lamb lands historic $136 million contract from Cowboys to end holdout
CeeDee Lamb’s patience paid off.
The Cowboys’ star receiver agreed to four-year, $136 million contract extension with a record $38 million signing bonus on Monday that will end his holdout, according to ESPN.
Lamb will be the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, with his $34 million annual average value (AAV) a tick below Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson’s $35 million AAV.
His contract also includes $100 million guaranteed, per ESPN.
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CeeDee Lamb’s new deal is worth $34 million per season. USA TODAY Sports
Lamb, 25, had been entering the final year of his rookie contract worth $17.991 million, but the former Oklahoma star sought a new deal that placed him among his peers.
This offseason has been belonged to wide receivers, with Jefferson, Amon Ra-St. Brown, DJ Moore and A.J. Brown among the 11 who have signed extensions, per ESPN.
Lamb has shown in his career that he belongs to be paid as one of the game’s top players and is coming off a sensational 2023 season in which he caught 135 passes for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking first, second and third in the NFL in those respective categories.
He also set the new Cowboys records for catches and yards.
CeeDee Lamb is now the eleventh receiver to sign a lucrative contract this offseason:🏈CeeDee Lamb: 🏈Justin Jefferson: 4-years, $140M🏈DJ Moore: 4-years, $110M🏈Amon-Ra St. Brown: 4-years, $120.01M🏈A.J. Brown: 3-years, $92M🏈Jaylen Waddle: 3-years, $84.75M🏈Nico…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2024
For his career, Lamb has caught 395 passes for 5,145 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Lamb opted to holdout during training camp while he waited for his new deal, and the general vibe seemed to be that the parties would eventually find a deal that worked for both sides.
That’s not to say there weren’t some bumps along the way.
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CeeDee Lamb received a historic guarantee with his new deal. Getty Images
Jerry Jones said earlier this month he didn’t feel any urgency to complete a deal, which Lamb then quote tweeted with an “lol” above a tweet featuring Jones’ quote.
Jones eventually backtracked on his comments and made it clear the team hoped to sign him while details emerged of proposed offers.
Lamb, though, indicated the ball lied in Dallas’ court.
“Still waiting on that phone call,” Lamb posted on Instagram on Saturday, “but, until then, we grind.”
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CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott celebrate a touchdown during the 2023 season. AP
The Cowboys clearly picked up the phone and the sides found a deal that gave Lamb a historic guarantee to offset falling just short of Jefferson’s record.
He now has 13 days to practice before the Cowboys open the season on the road against the Browns.
The Cowboys are attempting to repeat NFC East champions and bounce back from last year’s first-round playoff flop versus the Packers.
With Lamb now locked up, it leaves Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase and the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk as the two star receivers still seeking extensions with their team as Week 1 approaches.
