FRISCO: According to CeeDee Lamb, he’s the NFL’s top receiver. Ultimately, he can prove it with the contract. Here inside The Star, on Tuesday afternoon, the Dallas Cowboys’ All-Pro receiver formally signed a four-year, $136 million contract despite missing the all of training camp and the team’s three preseason games. There is a record-breaking $38 million signing bonus for the receiver along with a $100 million guaranteed. However, additional information—detailed information—is now accessible. Now let’s get started. ITEM: As you are already aware, Lamb’s new average salary per year (APY) is $34 million, making him the second-richest wideout of all time, behind only Justin Jefferson. You are also aware of the $38 million signing bonus, which broke records for a wideout. ITEM: The $136 million naturally includes the $38 million. $67 million guaranteed at signing is also included. The signing bonus, the entire 2024 pay, and the entire 2025 compensation are all included in that $67 million. Lamb will receive a further guaranteed sum of $26 million in the coming years, followed by another $17 million, for a total guaranteed amount of $100 million.
ITEM: Dallas has a ton of cap room for 2024 according to the year-by-year breakdown, which we assume will be carried over into 2025 as part of the “Blow It Up/Remodel” plan. With that said… Some may be surprised to learn that Lamb’s basic pay in 2024 is merely $1.15 million. And as we’ve been attempting to clarify for months, his cap effect is a favorable $8.75 million. Dallas has “saved” almost $10 million in cap room, since he was originally signed for $17.99 million for 2024. The piper will get paid, of course.
He will have a basic salary of $26.85 million in 2025, with a $35.45 million cap hit. The base salary in 2026 is $25 million, with a $33.6 million cap hit. It has a $36.6 million cap hit in addition to a basic salary of $28 million in 2027.
The first and only true “escape hatch” is in place should Dallas decide to back out of the agreement, in which case it would be left with $7.6 million in dead money. In 2028, the pact calls for a $30.991 million basic salary and a $39.59 million cap hit. When you include in weekly bonuses of $58,823 for every game played, the total comes to $1 million every season. It’s a huge agreement that pleases both parties and is a part of a new trend that pays receivers as if they are the second-most valuable players in the league. (Thank you, Spotrac.) Lamb joins Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings) who signed a four-year, $140 million contract this offseason, CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys), Amon-Ra St. Brown (Detroit Lions), D.J. Moore (Chicago Bears), A.J. Brown (Philadelphia Eagles), Jaylen Waddle (Miami Dolphins), and D.J. Moore as the 11th receiver to sign a four-year, lucrative contract this offseason
* Nico Collins (Houston Texans): 3 years, $72.M; * DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles): 3 years, $75M * Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns): 3-years, $52.5M * Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans): 4-years, $92M * Michael Pittman (Indianapolis Colts): 3-years, $70M Lamb, who caught 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, is coming off one of the finest receiving seasons in Cowboys history. Lamb could provide an instant boost of output to a playmaking-deficient offense as the Cowboys get ready for their season opener against the Browns on September 8. Related: Jerry Jones Explains Why He’s the Cowboys’ Best General Manager: “No One Is Able to Do It!” Are the figures astounding? Indeed? Overdoing it? Only if the team that is writing the large cheques doesn’t end up winning the major games as a result.
