CeeDee Lamb stats: Why Cowboys WR is having 'down year' after signing massive contract extension

The Cowboys have two of their offensive superstars locked up for the long-term future in QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb. 

Both secured lucrative contract extensions from Dallas in the offseason, with Lamb's $136 million deal coming in August and Prescott's $240 million deal coming just weeks after as the season was about to kick off. 

After a monster 2023 season in which he finished second in the NFL in receiving yards, Lamb hasn't been quite as elite through five games in 2024. He certainly remains one of the best receivers in the league, but Lamb's dominance hasn't been as evident this season.

Here's a look at Lamb's 2024 numbers through five games, as well as his career stats, as the Cowboys prepare to face the Lions in Week 6.

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CeeDee Lamb 2024 stats

Lamb is currently on pace for 85 catches and 1,285 receiving yards if he plays in all 17 games this season — marks that would certainly continue to make him one of the best wide receivers in the league.

However, Lamb did finish with 135 receptions for 1,749 yards in 2023, which set his bar extremely high moving forward — and that was surely part of the reason that Dallas made him the second highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL based on average annual value behind Justin Jefferson, per Over The Cap.

Especially after veteran Brandin Cooks recently went down with an injury, the Cowboys' offense could use all the production from Lamb it can get. This year, the star receiver is averaging 8.2 targets, five receptions, and 75.6 receiving yards per game, numbers that are down across the board from 10.6 targets, 7.9 receptions, and 102.9 receiving yards per game in 2023.

One potential reason for the slower start is Lamb's summer holdout, which ended when he signed his four-year deal with Dallas. After earning the contract in August, Lamb said he didn't think he'd "be a step behind" at all and that he was ready to play, per NFL.com. He hasn't entirely proven himself wrong, still with a respectable output of 25 catches so far, but Lamb also hasn't been as productive as he was last season.

The prior chemistry displayed between Lamb and Prescott also hasn't been as clear lately, and Lamb was spotted on the sidelines in Week 5 throwing some words Prescott's way after the quarterback threw an interception in the end zone that was in Lamb's direction.

Alright lip readers what is Ceedee Lamb saying here pic.twitter.com/vxS4XIjW8t

— Adam Hutchison (@TheRealAdam_H) October 7, 2024

Lamb said Thursday that in that moment, he was telling Prescott "Jump balls, Four. Jump balls and I got you."

Whether Prescott and Lamb have issues to figure out off the field or not, they haven't connected as often as they have previously. The Cowboys also don't have much time for drama with a loaded schedule over their next six games, including matchups against the Lions, 49ers, Falcons, Eagles, Texans, and Commanders.

Lamb has helped the team to a 3-2 record so far, including a recent win over the Steelers, and has remained consistent while ranking ninth in the league in receiving yards. However, we've seen Lamb kick it into a higher gear before as arguably the league's top wideout, and that kind of production is still on the table in 2024.

Here's a look at his game-by-game and total numbers this season so far.

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CeeDee Lamb career stats

After being drafted 17th overall in 2020, Lamb has increased his totals in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns in all four years of his career prior to this season.

While Lamb, 25, doesn't yet own any hardware like an Offensive Player of the Year award, he's become one of the league's best receivers through his consistent improvements alongside Prescott in Dallas.

Here's a look at Lamb's year-by-year and total career numbers through five seasons, all of them with the Cowboys.