Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is not expected to attend the team's voluntary spring workout program that begins on April 15. Lamb also reiterated public intent to remain in Dallas. Long-term contract extension negotiations remain ongoing.
Lamb is currently slated to enter a fate-deciding contract season. The 2023 receptions leader is scheduled to earn a fully guaranteed $17.9 million through the fifth-year option. Long-term financial security is warranted. Lamb will sign a sizable extension before the impending campaign begins.
Davante Adams is currently the league's highest-paid receiver from a total value perspective at $140 million. Tyreek Hill earns the most money on an annual basis with a yearly salary average of $30 million. Lamb's upcoming extension could surpass both marks.
Lamb could decide between a four or five-year deal at $31.5 million per campaign. That would equal $126 million on a four-year contract. If Lamb opts for a five-year term at $31.5 million annually, he'd surpass Adams' $140 million by equaling $157.5 million, becoming the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. A four-year contract would allow Lamb another opportunity to sign a contract extension in shorter succession when the salary cap will be undeniably higher, but the fifth-year temptation of setting league history may be too tempting.
April 15 shouldn't necessarily serve as a deadline. Several veteran players who aren’t involved in contract negotiations opt to skip voluntary workouts. Ideally, the Cowboys and Lamb should aim to sign an extension before mandatory minicamp begins in early June.
The Cowboys likely would prefer to get an extension signed with Lamb before the next crop of receivers reset the market. Justin Jefferson, who was drafted in 2020 alongside Lamb, is also scheduled to play on his fifth-year option in 2024. Ja'Marr Chase remains a year away from his fifth-year option, but negotiations loom large with the Cincinnati Bengals. Jefferson and Chase will eventually sign extensions north of $30 million annually.
It's impossible to overstate Lamb's importance to the Cowboys' offense. Lamb was on the field for 559 of the 590 passes starting quarterback Dak Prescott attempted throughout the 2023 season, according to Dallas News. That means Lamb ran routes on 94.6% of Prescott's attempts. Prescott and Lamb connected on 133 occasions, the fourth-most completions between a receiver-quarterback duo in NFL history.
Lamb concluded the 2023 campaign by recording career highs in receptions (135), receiving yards (1,749), and receiving touchdowns (12). He's a certified chain mover that saw 80 if his 135 receptions result in first downs. Lamb also posted a personal-best 74.6% catch percentage and 9.7 yards per target.
Lamb isn't the only superstar Cowboy that requires an extension. Prescott and outside linebacker Micah Parsons are also due for long-term agreements. Prescott joins Lamb in a contract year in 2024, and the Cowboys have already triggered Parsons' fifth-year option for 2025. All indications are that Lamb's extension takes priority in Dallas.
Upcoming offseason events could incite negotiation tactics such as Lamb skipping voluntary workouts. Discussions shouldn't reach the breaking point where Lamb is absent for anything mandatory. The Cowboys will make Lamb the highest-paid receiver in NFL history.
