Cowboys Pay Lamb, but NFL Teams Grapple With High-Stakes Talks

The NFL salary cap took an unexpected record jump of $30.4 million up to $255.4 million this year, but teams have still been taking their time when it comes to handing out major contracts. 

On Monday afternoon, the Cowboys and star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (above) finally ended their months-long contract dispute by agreeing to a four-year, $136 million extension that makes Lamb the second-highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, according to multiple reports. Lamb’s $34 million average annual salary will fall behind only Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson, who signed a $140 million deal this offseason.

Lamb was set to make $17.99 million in 2024, entering the fifth-year option season of his rookie contract. Contract negotiations had become very public, with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones handing out barbs through the press, and Lamb resorting to callouts on social media.

Give Me the Ball, and Some Cash

The Cowboys and Lamb haven’t been the only team and receiver at odds this summer, though. Like Lamb, the 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk and Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase didn’t get a single practice rep in during training camp, as they also seek megadeals well over $100 million each. 

“With wide receivers, there’s a big conversation right now of: Are they being overpaid?” ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller said on Monday’s episode of Front Office Sports Today.

Chase is entering the fourth year of his fully guaranteed $30.81 million rookie deal. The Bengals picked up his fifth-year option that would pay him $21.81 million in 2025. Cincinnati owner Mike Brown has indicated that any extension may not come until next offseason. The receiver returned to practice Sunday, three days after the team’s final preseason game against the Colts on Thursday.

Aiyuk, also entering his fifth-year option season, is scheduled to earn $14.12 million. San Francisco gave Aiyuk permission to seek a trade, but so far no deal has been made.

West Coast Shuffle

The 49ers aren’t dealing only with Aiyuk’s contract dispute. Left tackle Trent Williams, who has been named to the All-Pro first team each of the past three seasons, is set to make $20.9 million. But he is said to be willing to miss the start of the regular season, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, if San Francisco doesn’t rework his contract and make him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. Buccaneers tackle Tristan Wirfs currently has that mark with a $28.1 million average annual salary.

New deals for Williams and Aiyuk would make it an expensive summer for the 49ers, which already extended Christian McCaffrey to solidify his spot as the highest-paid running back at $19 million a year. Meanwhile, third-year quarterback Brock Purdy will be eligible for an extension after this season, in which he’ll earn just $985,000.