FRISCO, Texas — When CeeDee Lamb was launched to the followers inside Ford Heart for the Dallas Cowboys’ first coaching camp apply of the summer season at The Star, the cheer was a little bit louder and significant.
Earlier within the day, Lamb signed his four-year, $136 million contract extension. He then went by his first exercise along with his teammates, albeit a restricted one as he works in control after lacking greater than 30 days in Oxnard, California, in a holdout.
“I want we might have had a camp. It is OK although. It should work out becoming again in,” Lamb stated after Tuesday’s apply. “However very excited for the second. Cherish each little bit of it.”
Lamb stated he by no means doubted the day would come he would get a contract extension however that the expertise was traumatic. The deal features a $38 million signing bonus, a file for vast receivers, and $100 million assured. The $34 million annual common locations him second amongst receivers, behind Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Lamb spent his time figuring out in Texas in addition to in Davie, Florida, the place he was when his agent, Tory Dandy, informed him a deal had been finalized.
“It was truly type of loopy,” Lamb stated. “He hit me with a, ‘Yeah, man, that is going south.’ I used to be like, ‘What do you imply it is going south? It is time.'”
Dandy sarcastically stated the Cowboys had been solely making an attempt to pay him $34 million a 12 months.
“Effectively, the place do I signal?” Lamb stated.
The negotiation course of was tough. At one level throughout coaching camp, Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones stated there was no urgency to get a deal accomplished, main Lamb to go on social media with a “lol” submit and use an image of a villainous Spider-Man.
Lamb and Jokes spoke after the deal was full.
“We had a businessman dialog,” Lamb stated. “Simply needed to clear the room. All the things is behind us. I am not frightened about nothing. We acquired what we wanted to get accomplished. Now, it is time for me to go ball.”
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The method now turns to the sphere and getting ready for the Sept. 8 season opener on the Cleveland Browns. Lamb stated he saved up with the modifications within the offense by getting on his iPad every day to review apply movie. He was in touch with teammates, as effectively.
Bodily, Lamb stated he shall be able to play a full recreation regardless of having lower than two weeks of apply time. He stated he must “get bumped a little bit bit. Not a lot hit, however as I am operating a little bit nudge.”
He added 15 kilos to his body, one thing he was going to do if the contract settlement happened earlier within the offseason.
“I’ve acquired some physique armor on me,” Lamb stated. “I can take a few extra hits. I am ready for my alternatives.”
Lamb led the NFL with 135 receptions final 12 months and set a workforce file with 1,747 receiving yards whereas scoring 14 touchdowns (12 receiving, two speeding).
“Fairly actually, I do not assume it is going to be a step behind in any respect,” Lamb stated. “I am prepared. I put together for these moments. I performed this recreation my complete life.”
Now, Lamb needs to see his quarterback, Dak Prescott, signed to a contract extension. The Cowboys have had talks with Prescott, who can develop into a free agent after this season because the Cowboys are unable to position the franchise tag on him in 2025.
“You take a look at our numbers collectively, they’re on the prime of the charts,” Lamb stated. “I’ve little doubt that they are going to get a deal accomplished. Everyone knows that I need Dak right here. Jerry needs Dak right here too. So, let’s simply get this below management and kill the hypothesis and let’s go win.”
