Dallas — Dallas Cowboys fans can breathe a sigh of relief today.
The Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb have agreed to a four-year, $136 million contract. The contract includes $100 million guaranteed and a $38 million dollar signing bonus which is the largest ever given to a receiver.
The new deal makes Lamb the second highest paid receiver in the league with an annual salary of $34 million per year. Minnesota Vikings wideout, Justin Jefferson earns $35 million per season.
Cowboys Head Coach, Mike McCarthy held a conference call with media members today and acknowledge how much Lamb means to their organization and how glad he is to switch the focus from contract talks, back to football.
"It was just great to get the contract in place and obviously have him back," McCarthy said. "The schedule we have for the week fits into a ramp-up mode. We're gonna have a plan for him. We do have to be smart with him, and that's our plan."
Consternation was starting to reach an all-time high, prior to Monday’s big news.
The last time we saw Lamb in a Cowboys uniform was January 14, when The Green Bay Packers defeated Dallas during the postseason. Lamb missed offseason workouts and training camp while trying to get a new deal done. Dallas will now have Lamb on the field for their season opener against The Cleveland Browns, less than two weeks from today.
Lamb was essential to The Cowboys’ offensive success last season. He led the league in receptions and targets. His 1,749 receiving yards, 12 receiving touchdowns and 135 receptions, last year were all career bests. Lamb also became a first-team All-Pro selection for the first time in his career.
Lamb has continued the rich tradition of stellar play required of Cowboys receivers awarded the honor of wearing the #88 jersey for Dallas. Entering his fifth season, the 25-year old’s production is amongst the best in franchise history.
395 catches
5,145 yards
32 TDs
247 first downs
69.5% catch rate
318 rushing yards
3 rushing TDs
While CeeDee Lamb supporters can relax a bit, The Cowboys cannot afford that luxury. Dallas is still negotiating a contract extension for quarterback, Dak Prescott, who’s entering the final year of his deal. Cowboys top pass rusher, Micah Parsons wants his piece of the pie as well.
Time will tell how The Cowboys handle the difficult task of divvying up the money. The league salary cap is real! But at least for now, The Cowboys will have their top three players on the practice field tomorrow for the first time in a very long while.
Desmond Purnell
