Prior to the 2025-26 NFL season, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was unequivocally the team’s No. 1 receiving target, even after the Cowboys traded with the Pittsburgh Steelers for George Pickens.
However, after Lamb went down with a high ankle sprain in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears, Pickens took on the mantle of the team’s top pass catcher. Even after Lamb returned from injury weeks later, Pickens proved to be a talented and reliable asset.
What Did CeeDee Lamb Say About George Pickens Potentially Earning More Than Him?
Following a stellar contract year, Pickens is now due for a significant payday, one which might ultimately garner him a larger contract than Lamb’s. With all of the buzz surrounding Pickens and his future, Lamb finally opened up about how he’d feel should his teammate end up earning more than him.
During Super Bowl media week, Lamb was asked by analyst Bryant McFadden how he would feel if Pickens signed a deal worth more than his.
“If he makes more money than me I will be the first to congratulate him personally,” Lamb said. “In fact, I hope he do[es] make more.”
Lamb just wrapped up the second season of the four-year, $136 million deal he signed with the Cowboys in 2024, a deal with an average annual value of $34 million.
Pickens’ career-best 2025, which was partly fueled by Lamb’s early-season three-game absence, puts the former in line for a massive contract.
According to PFSN’s WR Impact ratings (WRi), Pickens graded out with the third-highest score of 88.4 (B+). He also led the Cowboys with 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns.
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During the standout 2023 season that earned Lamb his lucrative deal, he had a WRi of 94.7 (A). He led the team in 2023 with 135 receptions, 1,749 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns.
In order to retain a star receiver in today’s NFL, contract demands must be met. Judging solely based off what Lamb said, it sounds like he would be more than happy to have Pickens back alongside him next season.
It remains to be seen whether owner Jerry Jones will fork over the money Pickens requests, especially considering his early-season feud with now-Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons.
However, it’s difficult to envision the Cowboys letting any more elite talent walk out the door after last summer’s Parsons debacle.
