After 6 games, CeeDee’s stats look like 2023

The numbers don’t lie: CeeDee Lamb is not living up to the expectations that come with his hefty new contract. After holding out in training camp and then securing a four-year, $136 million extension, Lamb was expected to perform like one of the league’s top-paid receivers. But through six games this season, he hasn’t delivered.

Lamb’s stats tell the story. So far in 2024, he’s managed just 32 catches for 467 yards and two touchdowns. Compare that to the same point last season, when he had 34 catches for 475 yards and one touchdown. The difference might seem minor, but when you’re being paid to be the franchise’s offensive centerpiece, barely matching last year’s numbers isn’t good enough.

Cowboys wide receivers coach Robert Prince acknowledges that Lamb is seeing more double coverage, particularly on third downs. “There’s probably a little bit more cloud coverage on him,” Prince said, explaining that defenses are scheming specifically to shut him down. But that’s what elite receivers face every week, and Lamb was brought in to overcome those challenges. For the kind of money the Cowboys are paying him, being doubled is no excuse – he needs to make plays anyway.

When asked if moving Lamb around more before the snap could help him get open, Prince didn’t seem convinced. “He wears 88 for every game, so even though we move him around, they can find 88,” he said. The reality is, Lamb’s presence on the field isn’t fooling anyone, and the adjustments aren’t yielding the kind of results that justify his massive paycheck.

Last year, Lamb stepped up when the team needed him most, setting a franchise record with 135 catches and 1,749 receiving yards. He hauled in 12 touchdowns, proving he could be a game-changer. Now, halfway through October, the Cowboys are still waiting for him to kick into gear.

For a player making top-tier money, the expectation is to rise above adversity, not to be neutralized by it. The Cowboys didn’t break the bank just to see Lamb struggle to find separation and make routine catches. As the 2024 season grinds on, Lamb needs to prove he can perform at a level worthy of his contract – and the time to step up is now.