It behooves NFL franchises to get the most out of draft selections, maximizing the value of their rookie contracts. It is also in the player’s and agent’s best interest to renegotiate the terms of a rookie contract should that athlete become one of the best in the game with years remaining on the table.
Now that Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings has become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, CeeDee Lamb is seeking a contract extrension that eclipses those numbers. The benchmark is four years at $140 million.
The Cowboys have exercised a fifth-year option on Lamb, which will pay him $17,991,000 in 2024-25. CeeDee is holding out, and is being fined $40,000 each day of practice that he misses and $1 million per game, preseason included.
During the 2023-24 season, Lamb was the league leader in receptions and targets. An argument could be made that no team relies heavier upon a wide receiver than the Cowboys do on Lamb.
He only trailed Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolpins by 50 yards last year.
CeeDee Lamb’s Next Team
- Kansas City Chiefs +500
- Detroit Lions +600
- Pittsburgh Steelers +600
- Green Bay Packers +700
- New England Patriots +700
- Los Angeles Chargers +1000
- New Orleans Saints +1000
- Carolina Panthers +1400
- Cleveland Browns +1800
- Buffalo Bills +2000
- Arizona Cardinals +2000
- New York Jets +2200
- Atlanta Falcons +2500
- Indianapolis Colts +2500
- Tennessee Titans +2500
- Denver Broncos +2500
- Baltimore Ravens +2800
- Chicago Bears +2800
- Jacksonville Jaguars +2800
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers +2800
- Minnesota Vikings +2800
- Seattle Seahawks +3300
- Las Vegas Raiders +3300
- New York Giants +3300
- Cincinnati Bengals +4000
- Los Angeles Rams +4000
- Washington Commanders +4000
- San Francisco 49ers +5000
- Philadelphia Eagles +5000
- Houston Texans +5000
- Miami Dolphins +5000
NFL prop bets for free agents rarely command a moneyline for 31 teams. That alone should emphasize the potential production of Lamb and the immediate impact he can have on an offensive unit.
Leading the list of hopefuls are the Kansas City Chiefs. Adding Lamb to an offense that includes Patrick Mahomes would almost be unfair, as there are already several budding wide receivers on board.
Just behind KC at NFL betting sites are the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The timing isn’t great for Dallas as quarterback Dak Prescott and outside linebacker Micah Parsons are also renegotiating for a long term deal.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed a lack of urgency regarding Lamb’s contract, which prompted the following response on X.
— CeeDee Lamb (@_CeeDeeThree) August 8, 2024
Lamb removed all references to the Cowboys from his profile following Jones’ remarks.
In intriguing underdog pick in the above NFL futures are the Jacksonville Jaguars at +2800. The Khan family would likely throw more money CeeDee’s way than any other franchise, and Dallas might be more inclined to make the move since JAX is in the AFC.