Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb on signing his $136 million contract and what he learned during the time off

CeeDee Lamb is a happy man these days.

The Dallas Cowboys’ star wide receiver signed a four-year, $136 million contract just a few weeks ago, which includes a $38 million signing bonus – a record for a wide receiver – and $100 million in guaranteed salary. The contract was agreed to shortly before the start of the season after Lamb held out throughout training camp.

The 25-year-old receiver explains that he was actually in Florida – he had been keeping in shape during his strike in Fort Lauderdale – when he heard the news and that he was “ecstatic.”

“I was actually in Florida when I first found out, and how did I feel? I was ecstatic,” Lamb says with a big smile on his face during a one-on-one interview. “It didn’t feel real. I think we posted a video of my reaction when I was on the phone with my agent. I couldn’t believe it. When he told me, it was like the deal was finally done. Now I can go ahead and play.”

Lamb is now the second-highest paid wide receiver in the NFL after originally being set to make just under $18 million this season. Not only will he make $34 million annually, but he is also under contract with the Cowboys through the 2028 season.

The fifth-year receiver is overjoyed after earning his big contract with tremendous production last season. Lamb had an NFL-high 135 catches and 1,749 receiving yards, both franchise records. The young receiver explains that it’s still a “surreal” feeling two weeks after signing the contract.

“I’m just like, ‘Wait a minute, let’s enjoy this. Take a step back,'” Lamb says. “I just think about all the things I’ve been through in my life and my family’s life, and continuing to grow as a man and being the pedestal that’s beneath me for my brothers, cousins, all my little ones, and of course being a leader for the community as well. It’s an incredible feeling. It’s so surreal.”

Despite missing practice with his teammates during training camp, Lamb didn’t seem to lose his rhythm in the Cowboys’ season-opening win over the Cleveland Browns. Lamb made five catches for 61 receiving yards in the 33-17 victory, making him the team’s best player.

He explains that he felt “great” during the first week, even though his cardio workouts aren’t quite where he wants them to be, and that his endurance will only increase in the future as he completes more reps and games.

“I felt great,” Lamb said in his debut of the 2024 NFL season against the Browns. “I felt a little tired towards the end of the game, but that’s the difference between training and playing football. I felt a little bit backed off, but as we go through these things and I get more practice, I’ll be back.”

Lamb reveals that he actually stayed in shape during his absence from training camp by working out three to five days a week for three hours a day. He says he definitely missed the “camaraderie” with his teammates during training camp. The star receiver also says he hasn’t made any big purchases since signing his contract.

“I wish I would have gone to training camp, I have to say, just to build that camaraderie with my guys – to be the leader I’m supposed to be,” Lamb said. “I can lead from afar, but that’s nothing compared to being there. I wish I was there for my guys, but I had to get some things done.”

The three-time Pro Bowl receiver is speaking on behalf of his partnership with BodyArmor, with whom he has worked for several years. Lamb mentions that the popular sports drink has actually helped him stay “hydrated” during his “difficult” workouts in training camp.

“I think three hours of training three to five days a week is pretty self-explanatory,” says Lamb. “The hydration process was very important, absolutely essential for me. I just knew I had to get through it and keep going to come back and be in the right frame of mind and in the right physical shape. BodyArmor helped me do that. The training sessions were very hard – and it was worth every second.”

While the strawberry banana flavor is Lamb’s most popular BodyArmor drink, there is a new limited edition drink featuring the Cowboys receiver on the bottle. Aside from being available in limited quantities, it is notable because it is a “Consumer AR
Arweave
Experience.” This means that fans can scan the QR code on the bottle and it will take them to a series of interactive games in a digital network, such as how efficiently they can run routes.

“Take your phone, put the picture on it and it takes you straight to the link,” says Lamb. “At that point, you’re having fun. Show me your football skills, it’s fun, and that’s what this is all about. I’m really excited about the launch. I can’t wait for people to have it, I can’t wait for the kids to have it.”

Although Lamb is financially secure for the rest of his life, he explains in detail what he learned during the long negotiation process for his contract.

“Trust what you believe in, you’re not wrong – know your worth,” Lamb says. “What’s for you is for you. I felt like I really trusted my gut and continued to be myself and understand my worth to the team. I understand my worth to the game and how much I put into it. Again, it’s surreal, I can’t really put it into words because it happened so quickly. But obviously it took so long to happen. But throughout this journey I’ve learned so much as far as my mental maturity and composure, I’ve developed different things and different traits and I can’t wait to put them to use.”