Mike McCarthy reacts to CeeDee Lamb contract extension

Mike McCarthy has to be a happy head coach in Dallas, getting his star wide receiver back. The Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb finally agreed to a contract extension, keeping him in Dallas for the next four seasons while making $136 million. A historic contract after months of negotiations, making Lamb the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

When asked for his reaction to the news, McCarthy said everyone involved was “relieved” to have the deal done. Lamb was not with the team for all of training camp, instead holding out and preparing for the 2024 season on his own.

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“I was excited, but I think just like anything your being updated frequently on where things stand,” McCarthy said via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “I was anticipating a sooner or later type situation today, so, yeah, it was good to get this done. I think we’re all relieved.”

Now, the hard part of the situation arguably kicks in for the Cowboys. Not too long separates Monday’s contract agreement and the season opener against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8. Lamb needs to be integrated with the team and get back up to full speed.

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McCarthy says Lamb will be in “ramp-up mode” this week with his return to Dallas. Some kind of plan is already in the head coach’s head and once getting face to face with Lamb, it will all be worked out.

“I think, number-one, it was great to get the contract in place and obviously have him back,” McCarthy said. “The schedule we have for the week frankly fits into a ramp-up mode. We don’t have to do a whole lot of adjusting but we have a plan for him. When I have time to sit down with CeeDee, that will be something we go through.”

Lamb is a former first-round pick of the Cowboys after spending his college days with the Oklahoma Sooners. Since arriving ahead of the 2020 season, Lamb has been one of the top players in the NFL. Last season saw him lead the league in receptions with 135 while adding 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Offensive Player of the Year voting saw Lamb finish third, only behind Christian McCaffery and Tyreek Hill. Even with no training camp under his belt, Dallas fully expects Lamb to maintain his high level of play, showing confidence with the contract extension.