Cowboys Rumors: CeeDee Lamb 'In No Rush' to Sign Contract Extension in 2023

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb reportedly isn't hurrying to sign a contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys prior to the start of the 2023 NFL regular season this week.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys would like to sign Lamb to a new deal in the near future, but Lamb is in "no rush" since his price tag could go up even more with a strong 2023 campaign.

The Cowboys signed cornerback Trevon Diggs, safety Malik Hooker and offensive tackle Terence Steele to extensions already this offseason, plus they restructured All-Pro guard Zack Martin's deal.

Dallas originally selected Lamb with the 17th overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Oklahoma. He was widely considered a steal at that spot, and his play has undoubtedly backed up that line of thinking.

Lamb has made significant strides in each of his three NFL seasons, and has eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in two consecutive campaigns.

Last season was Lamb's best as an NFL player by a wide margin, as he set career highs across the board with 107 receptions for 1,359 yards and nine touchdowns as quarterback Dak Prescott's top target.

Lamb earned his second straight Pro Bowl nod last season, plus he was a second-team All-Pro for the first time.

Per Spotrac, Lamb is only set to earn a base salary of $2.5 million and will carry a cap hit of $4.4 million this season, but that is set to increase significantly in 2024 since the Cowboys exercised the $17.9 million fifth-year option in his rookie contract.

Since Lamb is under contract through 2024, the Cowboys don't necessarily have to press the issue and sign him to an extension immediately, although the price does figure to go up if Lamb builds on his 2023 production.

The Cowboys have more wide receiver depth this year than last thanks to the acquisition of Brandin Cooks, but losing tight end Dalton Schultz in free agency and releasing running back Ezekiel Elliott suggests there will be plenty of touches to go around and Lamb could match or exceed his career-high 156 targets from last season.

Perhaps the biggest adjustment for Lamb and the Dallas offense will be transitioning to a new offensive coordinator.

Kellen Moore left to become the Los Angeles Chargers' OC, meaning former New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will assume the role in Dallas this season.

Regardless of who is calling the plays, Lamb will be the focal point of the Cowboys' passing offense in 2023, and he should improve his contract negotiation standing even more provided the two sides don't agree to a new deal before the season starts.