On Sunday, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver agreed to a 3-year, $71.6 million contract extension. It's the latest in a plethora of sizeable contract extensions for wide receivers, as Samuel is the 11th receiver to sign an extension worth $20 million or more per year.
Two of Dallas' division rivals are a part of this trend, as the Commanders' Terry McLaurin and the Eagles' A.J. Brown are included in that list.
With Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb's rookie contract reaching its third year, what do these extensions mean for him?
Well, it means a hefty bag of cash is in his future.
If Lamb continues his upward trend, he will get paid just as much as Samuel. Last season, Lamb made his first Pro Bowl after recording 79 catches for 1,102 yards and six touchdowns. He did that as a secondary option, which Lamb won't be this season.
Lamb's new No. 1 receiver role will only see his value increase. His volume of targets could mean he tallies around 100 catches this season, meaning his production will balloon to career highs. Forget another Pro Bowl; Lamb may make an All-Pro team this season. He could turn into an elite receiver.
If he does, there wouldn't be a strong case for the Cowboys not to pay him. In today's NFL, having a reliable No. 1 wide receiver is a must. It's almost impossible to win without one, and it's why so many are getting paid. Considering this, it's not a crazy thought to believe Lamb may be one of the highest-paid receivers in the league when it's time for an extension.
Both Samuel and Lamb have the same agent as well: Tory Dandy. Dandy also represents D.K. Metcalf, another receiver who received a considerable extension this offseason. If Lamb has the season we all hope he has in 2022, Dandy will negotiate the same terms for him as he did for Samuel and Lamb.
Honestly, if he does break out this season to become one of the league's best, I'm sure most Cowboys fans wouldn't mind Lamb getting paid. Even if they don't, he will still get his money.
A Lamb extension is on the horizon, and it's going to include a lot of money. Get ready.
