Todd ArcherESPN staff writer1 minute to read
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys made the easy part by naming their 2024 fifth-year option over CeeDee Lamb, but they’d like to sign the wide receiver to a long-term extension sometime this season.
The Cowboys made an official decision Thursday about two weeks before they decided, according to a source, to secure Lamb, their first-round pick in 2020, at a salary of $17.99 million in 2024.
Because Lamb was selected to the Pro Bowl, his option salary was higher according to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
Last season, Lamb established career highs in receptions (107), yards (1,359) and touchdowns (9) in his first year as the Cowboys’ leading receiver following the trade of Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. He has the most receptions in the first three years of his career in team history with 260, with Dez Bryant second at 200. His career 100 receiving yards is surpassed by only Hall of Famer Bob Hayes (13) for most on a team History in the first three years of his career.
Ultimately, the Cowboys hope the option will be a placeholder for a long-term deal. On numerous occasions in the off-season, executive vice-chairman Stephen Jones has said the club would like to sign Lamb and corner-back Trayvon Diggs, their second round picks in 2020, to multi-year deals.
Diggs is set to enter the final year of his contract. With Lamb selected, the Cowboys could use the franchise tag in Diggs next offseason.