Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb may prolong contract negotiations with the Dallas Cowboys to score an even bigger payday.
During a Saturday episode of "NFL Live," Jeremy Fowler reported Lamb — entering the final year of his rookie deal — "appears to be waiting on [Minnesota Vikings WR] Justin Jefferson" before he signs a new contract.
Jefferson, a three-time Pro Bowler, is in store for a lucrative extension after elite wideouts such as Philadelphia's A.J. Brown (three years, $96M) and Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown (four years, $120.01M), signed new deals.
"Because Jefferson is also going into the final year of a rookie contract, the St. Brown deal is easier to apply to his situation," Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote. "And since Jefferson is owed $19.743M on his fifth-year option, the apples-to-apples equivalent of his deal to St. Brown would bring him about $80M over the next three years. Give him the bump for—all due respect to St. Brown—being a better player, and waiting an extra year…do you go to $90M over the next three years? Or $100M?"
If the Vikings give Jefferson $90M or $100M over the next three years, Lamb could command a similar deal. In 17 games last season, he logged a league-high 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdown catches, earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
CeeDee stretches to extend the lead for the @dallascowboys just before half!
📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/X0vcyHUoyR pic.twitter.com/Agasz4pzBN— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
Dallas, however, shouldn't wait to sign Lamb. While the Cowboys want to solidify their future with the 25-year-old pass-catcher, they must ensure they have enough cap space to keep their roster intact.
In 2025, edge-rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland enter the final year of their rookie deals.
