Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb Wants To Be NFL's Highest-Paid WR, But There's A 'Super' Catch
If he wasn't in the conversation for the best receiver in the NFL before 2023, Dallas Cowboys star CeeDee Lamb is certainly making a strong case for himself this season.
Heading into the final week of the regular season, Lamb is first in receptions league-wide with 122, second in receiving yards with 1,651 and tied for third in touchdowns with 10. He also broke the Cowboys franchise record in the former two stats, surpassing Michael Irvin's outstanding marks in 1995.
That said, great talent and performance comes with a price, literally. The Cowboys have Lamb under contract for one more season thanks to his fifth-year option, which will see his salary cap hit rise substantially. After that, though, they'll have to back up the Brinks truck to keep him in Dallas.
They are planning on doing so. And Lamb has a plan, too.
CeeDee Lamb
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When asked if he would like to be the NFL's highest-paid receiver, Lamb said "Ideally, yeah, for sure.'' However, he added that his focus is on helping the Cowboys chase that ever-elusive Super Bowl in February, and he doesn't want his future contract situation to be a distraction.
“After that, then we’ll start talking,” Lamb said.
While Lamb isn't focused on his next deal right now, it has to at least be a thought in the back of the Cowboys' mind. Dallas is already staring down an upcoming cap crunch, and that's before they've signed Lamb, quarterback Dak Prescott and linebacker Micah Parsons.
Of that trio, Lamb may be the one the Cowboys are more reluctant to commit to long-term as receiver is the most-replaceable position, but that doesn't make a difficult situation any easier.
What's the possible price tag? Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins is tops at $30 million APY. Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders is at $28 million. Cooper Kupp of the Los Angeles Rams is at $26.7 million.
The Cowboys have been blessed to be one of the best-drafting teams in the NFL recently, and it's helped them get to where they are today. However, that same drafting prowess could very well cause a $30 million-per-year or so headache for their cap specialists - though it's a good headache to have.
