The Minnesota Vikings re-set the market for NFL wide receivers on Monday by inking former first-round pick Justin Jefferson to a four-year contract extension for $140 million. It seems to be the exact deal that the Dallas Cowboys have been waiting for as they continue negotiations with the representatives for star receiver CeeDee Lamb. According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, the contract talks are now expected to “speed up.”
Earlier in the spring, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones referenced the team’s need to wait for more “leaves to fall” before making any offers. Now, many more leaves have fallen.
“Who in the world would think that we’re not working on it?” Jones said. “I work on it at two in the morning sometimes. What your actual question is why don’t you have something done and negotiated and put in the drawer? We’d like to see some more leaves fall. We’d like to see some more action.”
“You may give money to somebody that you shouldn’t have given it to,” he added. “To say that you’re not working on it or going is not the right answer. The difference is the style. It’s on your mind. It’d be madness not to know that the contracts are ahead. …. You got trouble with what the timing is around here because I’m not ready to go.”
As it stands, Lamb is preparing to play the 2024 season on his fifth-year extension for $17.9 million. He’s doing that preparation away from the team, however, as he waits on a new deal. The Cowboys begin mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, and it’s unclear whether the former Sooner plans to participate.
Jefferson deal re-sets market for CeeDee Lamb
Lamb’s resume is very similar to Jefferson’s after four seasons in the league. The two former first-rounders, selected five spots apart, both have three Pro Bowl nominations. Lamb has two All-Pro selections while Jefferson has three (one first team, two second team).
The Cowboys star has tallied 395 catches while the Vikings standout has 392. Lamb has 5,145 receiving yards, and Jefferson has 5,899 yards. As far as getting in the endzone, the Dallas receiver has the edge with 35 scores compared to his Minnesota counterpart’s 32. Both are clear No. 1 wide receivers, now it’s up to the Cowboys to pay Lamb like one.
Earlier in the offseason, the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles dished out major deals for their No. 1 wide receivers. Amon-Ra St. Brown inked for an additional four years for $120 million, including $77 million guaranteed. Meanwhile, Eagles star AJ Brown signed a three-year extension for $96 million, making him the highest-paid receiver in the league. His $84 million in guarantees marked a new high for an NFL wide receiver, however Jefferson just surpassed it.
The Eagles also announced a major extension for former first-rounder DeVonta Smith last month. The former Alabama star had his fifth-year option exercised on his rookie deal, then his contract extended for three more years through 2028 for $75 million. His new contract includes $51 million guaranteed.
Last week, the Houston Texans rewarded wide receiver Nico Collins with a three-year extension for $72.75 million. He put up 80 catches for 1,297 yards in 15 games last season.
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