2024 has marked another offseason during which many high-profile receivers have received sizable extensions. The trio of Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb and Ja’Marr Chase has been seen as the top group of players in line for new deals, though, leaving each to wait out the other on the contract front. 
Jefferson has moved first in that regard, inking a Vikings extension which makes him the league’s top earner for non-quarterbacks. Lamb will be hard-pressed to secure an AAV higher than Jefferson’s $35MM on his new deal, but movement in his case could be coming soon. Talks between Dallas and the three-time Pro Bowler could “jumpstart” in the wake of the Jefferson accord, ESPN’s Todd Archer notes.
Likewise, veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson reports the Lamb negotiations are expected to accelerate now that a new benchmark has been set. The Cowboys have been patient on a number of fronts this offseason, including the addition of outside free agents and efforts to retain the likes of Lamb, Dak Prescott and Micah Parsons. Owner Jerry Jones made it clear in April he intended to let the quarterback and receiver markets come into focus before making a commitment at those positions.
That entailed letting Jefferson ink his deal, and it will be interesting to see if Chase’s negotiations with the Bengals similarly heat up given today’s news. The latter was waiting for Jefferson to agree to his extension before proceeding with serious negotiations on his own. The Cowboys and Bengals could take varying approaches over the coming weeks with respect to hammering out the league’s next WR mega-pacts.
Lamb, 25, set a new franchise record with his 2023 production (135 catches, 1,749 yards, 12 touchdowns). That helped his market value, especially with a number of non-Jefferson receiver deals being worked out recently. Lamb is due $17.99MM in 2024 on his fifth-year option, but a long-term accord will be worth much more. Dallas has to also consider potential multi-year investments in Prescott (also a pending 2025 free agent) and Parsons (who is on the books for the next two years).
To little surprise, Lamb has not taken part in the Cowboys’ OTAs. Those workouts are voluntary, but participation in the team’s upcoming minicamp is not. Dallas’ minicamp runs from June 4-6, and an unexcused absence for all three days would create over $100K fines (although those could be waived at the team’s discretion). The situation between Lamb and the Cowboys will remain worth watching closely during the final days of the team’s offseason program.