Now, Cowboys just have to sign Austin, Bryant
Now, all the Dallas Cowboys have to do is find a way to strike a longterm contract with Miles Austin and ensure that they have first-round draft pick Dez Bryant signed before training camp begins.
Austin continued to operate in good faith with the organization, signing his tender as a restricted free agent on Friday when the team kicked off its minicamp in Valley Ranch. Austin is set to earn $3.168 million this season but it is expected the sides will continue to work toward a longterm extension.
Bryant, meanwhile, got back on the field after testing out his pesky hamstring pull in the morning. Bryant missed a game last season at Oklahoma State before his suspension with a pulled hamstring and was unable to work out at the scouting combine in February because of hamstring issues.
"It's not that big of a deal to me," Austin said about his contract status, according to the Dallas Morning News. "I'm here to work. Hopefully something can work out. Obviously, I love Dallas. I'm excited for the season."
The problem is it will be difficult for Austin to be the third-highest paid wide receiver on the roster, or fourth depending on how you view the contract of Patrick Crayton. Roy Williams will got a huge deal when the Cowboys traded for him and Bryant’s rookie deal will dwarf what Austin is earning. If Austin is the No. 1 target like he was last season for quarterback Tony Romo, he needs to be paid accordingly.
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