The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with their first-round pick Morris Claiborne, per multiple sources. A deal was expected to be completed before the start of training camp and the two sides did not disappoint by agreeing to terms today.
Claiborne’s rookie deal will be worth $16.26 million. Claiborne receives a $10.27 million signing bonus and the contract features no offset language, which was the initial hold up in getting the deal completed. ESPN business analyst Andrew Brandt explains the offset language which has slowed down many rookies contract talks.
“Teams want language in the contract, these are fully guaranteed contracts, saying that if they cut the player at some point and he signs with another team, they offset their guarantee,” Brandt said. “So they cut a player, he signs for a million dollars somewhere, that million comes off what they owe.”
Claiborne will now be able to participate in Wednesday’s training camp. He is expected to be the first Cowboys cornerback to start from day one since Terence Newman in 2003.
Dallas traded their first and second-round picks this past April to jump up and draft Claiborne in the 2012 draft. He will pair with free agent signee Brandon Carr to immediately improve the Dallas secondary.
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