The Dallas Cowboys have a notable approach to contract negotiations.
They often drag their feet on deals for star players like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, only finalizing terms when deadlines approach. Conversely, they sometimes act prematurely with less proven or injured players.
A prime example is right tackle Terence Steele, who received a significant $82.5 million extension in September 2023 despite recovering from a torn ACL and struggling on the field.
Last season, Steele’s performance was subpar, with a Pro Football Focus grade of 50.8, ranking him among the worst linemen.
Recently, the Cowboys restructured Steele’s contract by converting $4.5 million of his 2024 salary into a signing bonus, thus freeing up some salary cap space.
This move, reported by ESPN’s Todd Archer, suggests that while the Cowboys are managing their cap, there’s little indication they will use the extra space to acquire new talent like Jets pass rusher Haason Reddick or receiver Davante Adams. Instead, they may need to address a contract with star linebacker Micah Parsons.
Despite his rocky season, Steele might still justify his hefty contract if he fully recovers from his injury.
Notably, only $50 million of his deal is guaranteed, which limits financial risk if his performance doesn’t improve.
Steele had a decent start this season, with a PFF grade of 67.9 in Week 1, and he remains optimistic about his recovery and future performance.
