The much-discussed contract extension for Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware has finally arrived.
Fox’s Jay Glazer reports that Ware will receive nearly $40 million guaranteed on a six year deal that can be worth up to $13 million per season.
The Cowboys weren’t under the gun to extend Ware because the absence of a new labor deal in 2010 would have potentially prevented Ware from being an unrestricted free agent next year.
But Ware has been one of the league’s premier defenders since the Cowboys drafted him, and they were smart enough not to risk letting him get away.
The guaranteed money dwarfs the $31.5 million guaranteed Dwight Freeney received two years ago, but comes in just under Albert Haynesworth’s $41 million guaranteed. The structure of Ware’s contract, however, may give him a better chance of nearing the end of his contract. We’ll have to wait for those details.
Glazer reports that the deal has been verbally agreed to, but still needs league approval.