Almost certainly because of a glut of extension-eligible young talents, the Cowboys are not planning to be active in free agency this offseason.
Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, Jaylon Smith and DeMarcus Lawrence can be extended. The Cowboys have more than $54MM in projected 2019 cap space. But Byron Jones completed a breakout season in 2018. The safety-turned-cornerback has been extension-eligible for two years and has a lower-end fifth-year option salary ($6.26MM).
Jerry Jones said he is eyeing long-term deals with several of these players, Byron Jones included. The latter does not want to test free agency in 2020.
“You’re not going to find a better, more well-ran organization than the Cowboys,” Byron Jones said, via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. “The fans are great; the weather’s great; the food’s great for me. I live right in the city too, so I want nothing other than playing for the Dallas Cowboys.”
A Byron Jones re-up would have been much cheaper for the Cowboys last year. But after 2018, a second-team All-Pro season, the former Connecticut defender could push to become the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback. Jones’ safety years did not net him nearly the notoriety as his year as a Kris Richard-coached corner. The outside cover man has intercepted just two passes in 64 regular-season games, but in his first full season as an NFL corner, he rated as one of Pro Football Focus’ best-graded boundary defenders.
Josh Norman‘s $15MM-AAV deal has held the distinction of being the NFL’s highest-paid corner for nearly three years. With Norman’s pact coming together when the cap was at $155MM, and this year’s salary ceiling expected to push $190MM, this could be the year a younger defender supplants the Redskins veteran.
With so many extension candidates cropping up at once, the Cowboys enter one of the more complex offseasons in recent memory. It will be interesting to see how this process unfolds.
Deserves to get paid, get your money bro!
We just know Jerry is going to find a way to botch the off season, but hey! that little boat of his was money well spent.
Botched this offseason by keeping a coach that claps more than he actually coaches!
“You’re not going to find a better, more well-ran organization than the Cowboys,” Byron Jones said. Flat out lie, are we sure he didn’t mean Patriots?? Well run organizations play in Super Bowls, or at least make it to the NFC/AFC title game.
He did lay it on a little thick…lol. Maybe he has plans to work for the Dallas chamber of commerce after his football days are over.
That organization cheats
Every team has cheated so what’s your point? Hell you want to talk about deflategate? David Carr admitted to deflating footballs a decade before deflategate but wasn’t nearly as big of a deal. What about the green laser in the AFC title game that was aimed at Brady multiple times? No talk about that but if it happened in Foxborough to Mahomes people would be asking for the Patriots head
As far as facilities, recognition/marketing opportunities and team prestige Dallas is certainly at the top. Jerry also takes care of his guys.Dallas is one of the most visible teams in the league. Top 5 team to play for without a doubt..
Dez is still in shock at how well Jerry took care of him…lol.
Dez got paid off his extension.
Dez is a complete tool bag. It was apparent last year that no teams wanted his high school drama. He only caught on with the Saints after they literally lost every wide out they had .
Jerry got that right. Also was right on Dan Bailey.
Every owner that made two right decisions will want to be inducted into Canton now but even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Do not overpay for this guy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he grades poorly next year, and I’m a Cowboys fan
The guy is a great corner but he doesn’t make enough plays on the ball to get paid top corner money. 2 picks in 4 years.. he should get around 12 mil a year imo
Agreed. He’s very good, but to date has not been a difference maker.
Not worth top dollar, but really want them to get an extension worked out with him.
5-75 for Jones. 5-90 for Cooper and Zeke. 6 for 140 for Dak. 5 for 100 for Lawrence. No first round pick. Still 5-6 players short of making a real run. That window is about to slam shut.