Dan Bailey gets seven-year deal from Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys place kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks an extra point against the Washington Redskins during the first half at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not often that a non-QB receives a seven-year deal, and it’s even more rare for a kicker to get a seven-year extension. However, that’s exactly what Dan Bailey received from the Dallas Cowboys, and VP Stephen Jones wasn’t kidding when he said yesterday that the Cowboys were in “pretty serious talks” with Bailey regarding a long-term deal. The Cowboys have officially signed their kicker to a lucrative seven-year deal, as Cowboys official site beat writer Nick Eatman reports that Bailey will make a little over $3.3 million per year.
It’s a big commitment from the Cowboys, but it’s one that Bailey definitely deserves. Even though he is a kicker, he’s one of the best players on the team, and there’s little doubt that he is one of the best kickers in the league. Bailey is a multi-threat kicker, in that he is both extremely accurate and possesses a strong leg. Coming into the season, Bailey was already touted for having one of the league’s most accurate legs within 50 yards, but his goal was to do a better job of getting stronger and making longer field goals. After going 5-9 of field goals of 50 yards and over in his first two seasons, he nailed a terrific six of those seven tries this past season.
Overall, Bailey was 28-30, and he was also a perfect 10-10 from 40-49 yards out. He definitely deserves this deal, and I hope more and more people recognize that this guy is one of the game’s elite kickers. He’s just automatic out there, and the crazy thing is that he’s missed just four field goals over the past two seasons.