Cowboys set to ‘speed up’ CeeDee Lamb’s contract extension process after Justin Jefferson signed a massive $140 million deal

Lamb could see himself receiving a big contract soon.

Cowboys set to ‘speed up’ CeeDee Lamb’s contract extension process after Justin Jefferson signed a massive $140 million deal

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (Image via IMAGO)

The wait could finally be over for CeeDee Lamb’s aspirations of a lucrative contract. Going into the final year of his rookie deal, Lamb may match or get a better deal than Justin Jefferson.

Before the 2024 NFL draft, Jerry Jones announced that they were ready for the waiting game. Several high-profile receivers were due extensions, which would have given the Cowboys front office an idea about Lamb’s potential salary.

On Monday, Jerry Jones found out how much he and the Cowboys had to pay Lamb. The Minnesota Vikings announced that they had agreed to give Justin Jefferson a 4 year $140 million extension ($35 million a year) with a $7.10 million signing bonus and $110 million guaranteed. It made the LSU graduate the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.

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Later NFL insider Josina Anderson revealed that the Cowboys have discussed speeding up CeeDee Lamb’s contract.

Can the Cowboys afford to give CeeDee Lamb a massive contract extension?

It will be tough because the Cowboys have a very tight salary cap. On the other hand, there’s good news. They are set to receive an additional $9 million in salary cap space thanks to the departure of Michael Gallup, as he is designated a post-June 1 release.

Cowboys set to 'speed up' CeeDee Lamb's contract extension process after Justin Jefferson signed a massive $140 million deal
Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb (Image via IMAGO)

During the offseason, each NFL team is allowed to cut up to two players with a post-June 1 designation. When this designation gets used, a team will cut a player, but the team won't gain any cap space at the time of the cut. Instead, they'll gain the extra salary cap space after June 1.
CBS Sports reported

Gallup signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Cowboys’ lack of cap space stopped them from signing Derrick Henry, who joined the Baltimore Ravens. 

Our Situation… no one ever wants to say it, but it’s salary cap and we just did not have the allocate to the position in terms of where we were from a cap standpoint.
EVP Stephen Jones revealed in May

Jones also has the headache of a new Dak Prescott contract, which they are ‘all in’ to wrap up before the 2024 season ends. Neither they want the 3 times Pro Bowler hitting free agency, nor do they want to cut him loose.

Cutting Prescott before March 15, 2025, would count for at least $40.46 million against the 2025 season salary cap, which they would prefer to avoid. However, the 30-year-old is projected to earn a staggering $60 million a year, making him the highest-paid player.

The reason behind the Cowboys’ slow approach to giving their star players new deals is linked to Ezekiel Elliott’s 6-year $90 million deal. Elliott still had two years left in his contract.

However, Lamb deserves to get the payday. He had a breakout 2023 season setting Cowboys single-season reception (135) and receiving yards records (1749).

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