FRISCO, Texas — When CeeDee Lamb was launched to the followers inside Ford Middle for the Dallas Cowboys’ first coaching camp follow of the summer time at The Star, the cheer was just a little 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’d have had a camp. It is OK although. It is going to work out becoming again in,” Lamb mentioned after Tuesday’s follow. “However very excited for the second. Cherish each little bit of it.”
Lamb mentioned he by no means doubted the day would come he would get a contract extension however that the expertise was aggravating. The deal features a $38 million signing bonus, a file for huge 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, instructed him a deal had been finalized.
“It was truly type of loopy,” Lamb mentioned. “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 mentioned the Cowboys had been solely attempting to pay him $34 million a yr.
“Nicely, the place do I signal?” Lamb mentioned.
The negotiation course of was troublesome. At one level throughout coaching camp, Cowboys proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones mentioned there was no urgency to get a deal finished, main Lamb to go on social media with a “lol” publish and use an image of a villainous Spider-Man.
Lamb and Jokes spoke after the deal was full.
“We had a businessman dialog,” Lamb mentioned. “Simply needed to clear the room. Every part is behind us. I am not nervous about nothing. We acquired what we would have liked to get finished. 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 mentioned he stored up with the modifications within the offense by getting on his iPad each day to review follow movie. He was involved with teammates, as nicely.
Bodily, Lamb mentioned he might be able to play a full sport regardless of having lower than two weeks of follow time. He mentioned he must “get bumped just a little bit. Not a lot hit, however as I am operating just a little nudge.”
He added 15 kilos to his body, one thing he was going to do if the contract settlement passed off earlier within the offseason.
“I’ve acquired some physique armor on me,” Lamb mentioned. “I can take a few extra hits. I am ready for my alternatives.”
Lamb led the NFL with 135 receptions final yr and set a workforce file with 1,747 receiving yards whereas scoring 14 touchdowns (12 receiving, two dashing).
“Fairly actually, I do not assume it should be a step behind in any respect,” Lamb mentioned. “I am prepared. I put together for these moments. I performed this sport my complete life.”
Now, Lamb desires 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 high of the charts,” Lamb mentioned. “I’ve little doubt that they’ll get a deal finished. Everyone knows that I need Dak right here. Jerry desires Dak right here too. So, let’s simply get this underneath management and kill the hypothesis and let’s go win.”
