When the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on linebacker Anthony Spencer this offseason, they were locked in to paying him $8.8 million for this year unless both sides agreed to a cap-friendlier long-term contract. Looks like a long-term deal isn’t forthcoming.
That’s according to the team’s official website, which reports that, even with the deadline a week away for franchise tag players to ink long-term contracts with their clubs, the Cowboys aren’t interested in signing him to a long-term deal.
Although Spencer participated in the offseason workouts, apparently there hasn’t been any movement on negotiations between his representatives and the team.
So, what’s the deal with not giving him a long-term deal? As Josh Ellis writes, “The 2007 first-round pick has started opposite DeMarcus Ware for the past three seasons, performing well at times, and inconsistently at others, and the Cowboys apparently want to see more from him before committing to keep him well into his 30s.”
After he was tagged in March, the 28-year-old Spencer said, “That's a good thing and a bad thing. It's good because it shows how much they think of me. But you don't want to be playing on a one-year contract. You want a longer deal and the security that gives your family. But hey, I understand. It's a business.”
And Spencer would probably do more business if he can put together a standout season. Otherwise, he might be searching for a long-term deal next offseason somewhere besides Dallas.
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