(Editor’s Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in ‘Mailbag’ presented by Miller Lite.)
I don’t understand all the one-year contracts. It seems to me they set the stage for the Cowboys being in the same place again this time next year. I get it in the case of older or injured players looking for a prove it contract, but why not sign someone like Cobie Durant, who is coming off his rookie contract, to a multi-year deal if you’re convinced he can help your team? – Russell White/New Smyrna Beach, FL
Nick: These guys like to bet on themselves, too. Trust me, if the Cowboys could’ve signed Cobie Durant for a two-year, $10 million deal, they probably would’ve. But Durant doesn’t want that because deep down he probably believes he’s still got one more chance for a big contract. So it’s important for him to come to Dallas, play well and parlay that into something a little more long-term. If Durant signs anything longer than a one-year deal at this point in his career, he’ll probably never have the shot for another big contract.
Look back to last year, the Cowboys signed a few players to 1-year deals. Most notably was Javonte Williams, who was looking to prove himself as well. That certainly happened and he now got paid $8 million per season on a three-year deal. That worked for Javonte. But the Cowboys also signed Miles Sanders, Dante Fowler, Payton Turner, Israel Mukuamu, Rob Jones, Jack Sanborn and C.J. Goodwin to 1-year deals as well. It doesn’t appear as if any of those guys will be back with the Cowboys next year. So sometimes the 1-year deal can be just as beneficial to the team as the player.