CeeDee Lamb new contract will 'probably be pretty close' to Justin Jefferson deal

CeeDee Lamb was absent from the Dallas Cowboys’ minicamp as he awaits a new contract from the team. As far as what he’s looking for, it’s top-tier pay as a wide receiver, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Justin Jefferson just signed a deal worth $35 million per year with the Vikings and Lamb could see something similar.

And at this point, his on-the-field play backs up the claim. 

“This one’s interesting because I checked in with somebody who has an understanding of this negotiation and he said, ‘This is a player who has put all his four years’ body of work together, it speaks for itself and the market speaks for itself,’” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “Justin Jefferson putting up a huge number at wide receiver at $35 million per year. So whether Lamb can beat that or not is debatable, but he’s gonna have to probably be pretty close to that number based on what he’s done.”

Head coach Mike McCarthy knows Lamb has to take care of himself in that regard. But he’s not worried about his star receiver.

“CeeDee’s in a business situation but everybody’s engaged,” McCarthy said on Tuesday. “I’ve got no qualms about our best being ready.”

Over the course of four seasons, Lamb steadily got better, including setting career highs across the board in 2023. Lamb had 135 catches for 1,749 yards, 12 touchdowns and 13 yards per catch. In four seasons since getting drafted out of Oklahoma, Lamb has 395 catches, 5,145 yards, 32 touchdowns and 13 yards per catch.

Lamb is missing mandatory minicamp and incurring fines along the way, but McCarthy still expects the league’s leader in receptions last season to be ready to go come training camp. When asked what he’d like to see as a “next step” for the former Sooners standout, the head coach revealed it’s all about establishing consistent dominance.

“He’s played at such a high level so it’s really just maintaining the standard,” McCarthy said. “He set that last year. We all have a responsibility too to make sure those opportunities are in place.”

Without an extension, Lamb would play the 2024 season on his fifth-year option for $17.9 million.On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings made wide receiver Justin Jefferson the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history with a four-year extension for $140 million with $110 million guaranteed. It’s a deal Lamb could possibly match or exceed with his extension this offseason.