CeeDee Lamb's summer standoff with the Cowboys is over.
The receiver has agreed to a four-year, $136 million extension with Dallas, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Monday. Lamb will also receive $100 million guaranteed and a wide receiver-record $38 million signing bonus, per Rapoport and Pelissero.
The deal will pay Lamb the second-highest average annual salary at $34 million per year, coming in just behind Minnesota's Justin Jefferson (four years, $35 million per year).
Lamb has remained away from the Cowboys since OTAs, which he skipped as part of his efforts to secure a new deal before the start of the season, and has remained a frequent topic in the Cowboys news cycle because of his prolonged absence. It hasn't been a smooth process, either, especially when owner Jerry Jones told reporters he didn't "have any urgency to get it done" in early August, eliciting a short, displeased response from Lamb via social media.
Jones eventually doubled back to control the public relations damage, and as the preseason neared its conclusion, it seemed as if a deal would be done for Lamb before Week 1. It happened Monday, providing quarterback Dak Prescott with his most important weapon just in time for the start of a pivotal season.
In just four years, Lamb has proven himself as a prolific playmaker with a knack for producing highlights, catching 395 passes for 5,145 yards and 32 receiving touchdowns, including a career-best 2023 season (135 catches, 1,749 yards, 12 touchdowns). He's undoubtedly an essential piece in the Cowboys' offensive operation, and unlike past players who have received lucrative deals in Dallas, there was never a question whether Lamb deserved the money.
With this deal now done, Cowboys fans can rest easy knowing their star receiver will be available. After a largely quiet offseason, we'll see if that's enough to help Dallas repeat as NFC East champions in 2024.
