CeeDee Lamb is now set with a lucrative contract, but the Dallas Cowboys still have many challenges ahead.

After enjoying the best season of his career and navigating mixed signals from team owner Jerry Jones throughout the summer, the All-Pro wide receiver has finally reached a deal with the Cowboys. On Monday, Lamb signed a four-year extension worth $136 million, securing his position as a key player for Dallas for years to come. A source familiar with the matter, who requested to remain anonymous as the deal is not yet official, disclosed the details to YSL News Sports’ Tyler Dragon, with ESPN being the first to announce Lamb’s new contract.

Lamb becomes part of an elite group of wide receivers, including Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Tyreek Hill, all of whom are making over $30 million a year. Lamb’s average annual salary of $34 million ranks just behind Jefferson’s $35 million, making it the second-highest in history for non-quarterbacks. He also received a signing bonus of $38 million, setting a new record for his position, and has $100 million in total guaranteed money.

The four-year deal is significant as it aligns with quarterback Dak Prescott’s contract length, allowing Lamb to renegotiate sooner if he continues to excel.

In 2023, Lamb achieved milestone stats with 135 receptions and 1,749 receiving yards, both setting single-season records for the Cowboys—a team that has seen seven Hall of Fame receivers and many others over the years. At just 25 years old, Lamb has already made three Pro Bowl appearances in four seasons, and he is on a potential Hall of Fame path, having tallied 395 catches for 5,145 yards and 32 touchdowns since being drafted 17th overall from Oklahoma in 2020. Only Jefferson, Michael Thomas, and Hall of Famer Randy Moss have gained more receiving yards in their first four NFL seasons.

The resolution of Lamb’s contract struggle comes as good news for a Cowboys team that has had a quiet free agency, suffered the loss of pass rusher Sam Williams to a torn ACL at the start of training camp, and is now facing the potential absence of All-Pro corner DaRon Bland for up to two months due to foot surgery.

Lamb was originally set to earn $18 million in 2024 based on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. He had been training in Houston while skipping training camp. With this contract resolved, the wide receiver market for 2024 is taking shape, though players like San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk and Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase are still seeking their own contracts.

Finalizing Lamb’s contract was crucial for the Cowboys, but numerous questions still loom over their near and long-term future. The biggest one is about Prescott, who is set to become a free agent after this season and has a salary cap hit of $55.1 million—only trailing the Cleveland Browns’ Deshaun Watson at $63.8 million. The MVP runner-up from 2023 holds significant leverage in any future discussions with the Cowboys and has hinted at the possibility of exploring options outside of Dallas for 2025.

Moreover, important decisions await next year. All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons is now eligible for an extension, but he may have to wait until the next offseason, alongside other key players like Prescott, All-Pro guard Zack Martin, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, and receiver Brandin Cooks, all of whom will also have expiring contracts.

Fortunately for the Cowboys, they have locked in Lamb, which is a positive step.

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