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By Dianna Russini, Jeff Howe and Jon Machota
CeeDee Lamb is not expected to attend Dallas Cowboys mandatory minicamp that begins Tuesday, league sources said, as the star wide receiver seeks a contract extension. Lamb’s expected absence is contract-related, according to a league source.
Lamb was not in attendance during voluntary organized team activities in the weeks leading up to minicamp.
While answering questions about Lamb’s contract situation six weeks ago, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he wanted to see “more leaves fall” and “more cards played.” Jones was indirectly referring to the wide receiver market.
On Monday morning, the Minnesota Vikings and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson reached an agreement on a four-year deal for $140 million, with $110 million guaranteed, meaning the parameters have been set for Lamb and the Cowboys.
Lamb’s production over the last four seasons has been comparable to Jefferson’s. Both were drafted in the first round in 2020. Both have been to three Pro Bowls. Jefferson holds the advantage of being named All-Pro three times to Lamb’s two. Jefferson also has more receiving yards (5,899 to 5,145) in six fewer games. But Lamb has scored more touchdowns, 35 to 31.
“I can’t give you no numbers right now,” Lamb said in February on Micah Parsons’ Bleacher Report podcast when talking about his next contract, “but I’ll tell you this, one of the top paid receivers for sure, if not the (highest-paid WR). That’s always the goal.”
During that same interview, Lamb said the goal was to remain a Cowboy for his entire career, saying, “Absolutely. There’s no secret about that.”
Contract talks could pick up now that the Jefferson deal resets the market. Lamb might not get as much as Jefferson, but his next deal will likely be in that neighborhood.
The Cowboys are facing a situation where they could be paying quarterback Dak Prescott $55 million to $60 million per season while also paying Lamb around $35 million and Parsons around $35 million per season. That’s roughly $125 million per year for three players. The NFL salary cap is expected to continue increasing, but it’s set at $255.4 million per team for this season.
Of those three players, Lamb seems like the best bet to get his next deal done first.
This will be updated.
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(Photo: Tim Heitman / USA Today)
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Courtesy : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5539800/2024/06/04/ceedee-lamb-cowboys-contract-minicamp-absence/