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The Dallas Cowboys made their most important move of the preseason by finally agreeing to a four-year contract extension with First Team All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. The former first round pick from the 2020 NFL Draft signed a deal worth $136 million, or $34 million per season. $100 million of his contact is guaranteed.
Lamb, of course, held out for the entirety of Dallas’ training camp and preseason as he awaited his new contract to be done. Two other star players, quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons, are also due massive contract extensions, but decided to participate in training camp instead of holding out.
Due to the massive annual salary that Lamb is now receiving, there are some concerns that the Cowboys will not be able to afford their other two star players, particularly Prescott. After practice on Tuesday, Lamb spoke to the media to address those concerns.
Dallas Cowboys Wide Receiver CeeDee Lamb Wants Dak Prescott as His Quarterback for a Long Time
Dec 24, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) celebrates with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Lamb returned to practice for the Cowboys for the first time since last season. With two weeks left before the start of the regular season, he is not worried about being in good enough shape as he has been training on his own all offseason.
That being said, he did not participate in 11-on-11 drills on his first day back at practice.
After practice was over, Lamb spoke to the media for the first time since signing his massive contract extension. Naturally, the conversation led to questions about Prescott and his desire for a long-term deal.
I response to these questions, Lamb said (via John Machota of The Athletic), “You look at our numbers together, they’re at the top of the charts. I have no doubt that they’re gonna get a deal done. We all know that I want Dak here. Jerry wants Dak here too, so let’s just get this under control and kill the speculation.”
“The speculation” that Lamb is referring to are the rumors that Dallas and Prescott will not be able to come to an agreement and that the quarterback will become a free agent. Since he has a no-tag clause in his current deal, the Cowboys will not be able to use the franchise tag on him should negotiations spill into next offseason.
CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott Have Put Up Moster Numbers for the Dallas Cowboys
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates with Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) after throwing a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Prescott was the quarterback of the Cowboys for four seasons before Lamb was drafted in 2020. In those four years, he averaged a 65.8% completion percentage, 3,944.5 yards, 24.3 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 97.0 passer rating per season.
From 2020-2023, with Lamb on the team, Prescott has averaged a 68.4% completion percentage, 3,420.3 passing yards, 26.3 touchdowns, 9.5 interceptions, and a 101.3 passer rating per season.
If one were to exclude the 2020 season, in which he played just five games, Prescott’s passing yards average per season jumps to 3,941.7 yards.
Needless to say, the Lamb has done a great deal to help Prescott produce more. Last season, he led the NFL with 135 receptions while also accumulating 1,749 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
His 135 receptions in 2023 were the sixth-highest total in a single season in NFL history. Michael Thomas, who is currently a free agent, set the record with 149 for the New Orleans Saints in 2019.
The plan for Dallas is to make sure that both of these Pro Bowl players are able to keep feeding off of each other for years to come.