FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has concluded his holdout by agreeing to a four-year, $136 million contract, making him the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, according to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday.
The contract features a $38 million signing bonus, the largest ever awarded to a wide receiver, along with $100 million in guaranteed money, sources said.
Lamb was initially set to play the 2024 season under the $17.99 million fifth-year option of his rookie contract and then become a free agent, but the Cowboys secured his future with the team through the 2028 season with this new deal.
The Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson leads the market with a salary of $35 million per season. Following him are the Philadelphia Eagles’ A.J. Brown at $32 million per year, the Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown at $30.003 million, and the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill at $30 million.
CeeDee Lamb’s new deal makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in Dallas Cowboys’ history.
For context, Amari Cooper signed a five-year, $100 million contract with $40 million fully guaranteed in 2020, and Dez Bryant inked a five-year, $70 million deal with $45 million guaranteed in 2015.
Lamb could face fines exceeding $3 million for missing training camp and three preseason games, but the Cowboys have the option to waive this penalty since he was still under his rookie contract.
The Cowboys have three practices this week at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Although Lamb stayed in shape on his own during the holdout, the team plans to gradually reintegrate him into practice to minimize the risk of injury before their September 8 season opener against the Cleveland Browns.
CeeDee Lamb has lived up to the legacy of the No. 88 jersey, worn by Hall of Famers Drew Pearson and Michael Irvin, as well as Dez Bryant. The Cowboys were surprised to find him available at the 17th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, especially since they had rated him as the sixth-best player that year. Over his four seasons, Lamb has amassed 395 receptions, 5,145 yards, and 18 100-yard games—more than any other Cowboys receiver. In 2023, he set franchise records with 135 catches and 1,749 yards, surpassing marks previously held by Irvin.
Lamb’s versatility is key to his value; in 2023, he played 499 snaps in the slot, recording 69 catches for 907 yards and 12 touchdowns, and 438 snaps on the outside, adding 66 catches for 842 yards and four touchdowns. He also set an NFL record with seven games of at least 11 receptions in a single season. His 29 catches of 20-plus yards tied him with Tyreek Hill for the league lead, and his 92-yard touchdown against the Lions was the second-longest in Cowboys history (behind Hall of Famer Bob Hayes’ 95-yarder in 1966).
With 32 touchdown catches in his first four seasons, Lamb trails only Hayes (45) and Bryant (40) in Cowboys history. He closed last season with a touchdown in nine straight games.
Although the Cowboys approached Lamb, 25, about an extension in 2023, talks didn’t advance, and Lamb skipped the voluntary offseason program for the first time in his career.
The Cowboys believe Lamb’s best years are ahead, but questions remain about whether he and quarterback Dak Prescott will continue their partnership. Prescott’s contract is set to expire after this season, and while the team hopes to sign him to a long-term deal, he could become a free agent since the Cowboys can’t use the franchise tag on him.
With Lamb now secured, the Cowboys can focus on finalizing Prescott’s contract, with recent talks suggesting progress.