The Cowboys have signed Travis Frederick to an extension that will make him the highest-paid center in the NFL, the club announced. It’s a six-year, $54.6MM deal that includes $18.2MM fully guaranteed, and Frederick can earn $28MM in the first three seasons.
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Frederick has started 48 consecutive games to begin his career after entering the league as a first-round pick in 2013. The centerpiece of the NFL’s best offensive line, Frederick has earned a Pro Bowl nod and been named a second-team All Pro in each of the last two seasons. In 2016, Frederick graded as the league’s best center, according to Pro Football Focus, outperforming players such as Joe Berger, Matt Slauson, and Rodney Hudson.
The 25-year-old Frederick had been slated to earn only $1.34MM in base salary during the upcoming season before his pay jumped in 2017 thanks to Dallas exercising his fifth-year option. His new annual average, however, means that Frederick will earn $9.1MM per season, which will place him slightly above Alex Mack, who will earn $9MM annually under the terms of his new Falcons contract. Frederick ranks second in terms of guaranteed money among centers, with his $18.2MM placing him behind Mack ($20MM).
The Cowboys now have several key members of their offensive line locked up for years to come, as Frederick joins Tyron Smith — who is signed through 2023 — as players that Dallas has extended in recent years. Left guard La’el Collins and right guard Zack Martin, meanwhile, are both eligible to negotiate new deals at the end of the 2016 season.
Rand Getlin of NFL.com (Twitter link) first reported the deal and the fact that Frederick would become the league’s highest-paid center. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links) reported the terms. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Great extension!
Idk if he deserves this kind of money yet. He’s ill but not worth this kind of money. Look at tyrones performance drop after his big pay day. When will we learn to pay only what the value is at the time. And we’re losing a lot of games and romo is still not being protected so why does that warrant a huge contract? Could of got him for way less imo.