The Dallas Cowboys actually believe Randy Gregory will sign a below market value contract to stay with America’s Team in his free agency.
With the Dallas Cowboys needing to get their cap in order, they think they can get star pass rusher Randy Gregory to take a hometown discount to stay put in his NFL free agency.
Cowboys insider Mike Fisher reports that while Dallas is prepared to use the franchise tag on Tuesday, Jerry Jones remains optimistic that Gregory would be willing to take a hometown discount when it comes to putting together a long-term extension.
The idea behind Gregory potentially taking a hometown discount is that the Cowboys have stuck by him throughout his tumultuous NFL career out of Nebraska. Gregory is coming off his best season and is one of the better pass rushers hitting free agency this offseason.
If the Cowboys can work with Gregory’s representation to get a long-term deal together, it could free up the franchise tag to be used on someone like tight end Dalton Schultz.
Should Gregory’s camp be cooperative with The Joneses or should it secure the bag at all costs?
Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones hopeful Randy Gregory will take hometown discount
Gregory is coming off his best season in the league. He played in 12 games, set a career-high with 11 starts and tied a career-high with six sacks. While he was a former second-round pick by the Cowboys out of Nebraska in 2015, this is the first time he is hitting free agency because of off-the-field issues. Gregory is in the midst of his prime, but he turns 30 years old in November 2022.
The good news for Dallas is Gregory will not be the market setter for marquee pass rushers this spring, as future Pro Football Hall of Famers like Chandler Jones and Von Miller are also hitting free agency. The question is if Dallas believes long-term stability will be more appealing to Gregory than $20 million on the franchise tag. Keep in mind that he has not been paid handsomely yet.
With Texas not having a state income tax, Gregory’s money would go further in Dallas than most places in the league. Though there may be baked-in loyalty within both parties, this is Gregory’s only shot to get paid. While it may serve him to stay in Dallas, he should not sign for anything less than the franchise tag, unless he gets a lofty extension so that he would retire as a career Cowboy.
Hoping a player who has not been paid yet to take a hometown discount is only wishful thinking.