Barry Church is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon but the Dallas Cowboys want him around the long haul.

So, the team signed the strong safety to a four-year extension. According to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas, the deal is worth nearly $9 million with $3.8 million guaranteed.

Church won the starting job in training camp and was playing well through the first three games before his injury. Now, he has some security and the Cowboys have retained someone they believe will be a building block for the future. It’s a feel-good story too because Church was an undrafted free agent from Toledo in 2010.

Church is expected to make a full recovery in time for the offseason program.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune