CeeDee Lamb continues to be at a standstill in contract negotiations with the Cowboys. The star wide receiver is hoping to land an extension before the 2024 season begins and undoubtedly become one of the highest-paid players at his position in the process.
With Dallas holding firm, Lamb is held out of training camp and remains out for the team's preseason games. There haven't been reports of any progress being made on the two sides with the third preseason week underway. Lamb is currently in the last year of his rookie contract, with the Cowboys electing to exercise his $17.9 million option for a fifth year.
In today's age of social media, athletes aren't shy about posting their feelings online. Whether it's a direct shot at an opponent or airing their feelings towards their own organization, their freedom of speech certainly is being utilized.
Lamb falls into that category.
After Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that the team has "no urgency" to get a deal done, the wide receiver responded with "lol" on his X, formerly Twitter account.
While that was a clear-cut message from the 2020 first-round pick, his latest post leaves fans more puzzled than informed.
MORE: NFL Preseason injury tracker | RB depth charts
CeeDee Lamb's cryptic Instagram post, explained
Lamb posted a story on his Instagram that had quite the cryptic message behind it. On his story, the wide receiver posted a photo of Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man putting on the venom mask.
CeeDee : It’s time WE Suit up 🔥💪🏾✭ #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/EmRtmoS6sj
— Spoon Keeps it 💯 💪🏾✭ (@Spoonie881) August 19, 2024
It's unclear exactly what the meaning behind the post is. In the Marvel world, the venom mask on Spider-Man signifies the character turning to evil. Perhaps Lamb is signaling that he is entering his villain era.
Still, what that has to do with a contract dispute is unclear. If Lamb thinks fans will turn on him by holding out, he should think again, as the Dallas faithful know exactly how much Lamb brings to the offense.
NEW NFL RULE EXPLAINERS: Kickoffs | Guardian caps | No chain gang
CeeDee Lamb contract projection
Lamb is eligible for a contract extension this summer and is looking to become one of the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL.
Here is what our own Vinnie Iyer said about the new contract Lamb could land with the Cowboys:
In terms of production, durability, and individual worth to the team, Lamb is right up there with [Justin] Jefferson. Lamb accounted for 29.9 percent of the Cowboys' passing targets last season. Jefferson, in his last fully healthy season in 2022, had a 28.7-percent target share
Jefferson, on a per-game basis, has been more productive with receptions and yards, but Lamb has been a little more durable and the better scorer. The numbers and value to the team say Lamb has a case to match Jefferson. Jones also tends to please his favorite players and should be willing to oblige.
Lamb is looking at $35 million a season (or a little more), too. The difference will be contract length. If Lamb gets five years, he will also get the honor of being first in total contract value, $175 million.
Jefferson got more than his first three years guaranteed. That might be a little different, but Jones should be fine with 65 percent, or a little more than the first three years total. That would put Lamb at just about $113.75 million, allowing him to edge Jefferson for "highest-paid" wide receiver by every metric — depending on when Ja'Marr Chase gets his new Bengals deal.