With defensive tackle Henry Melton recovering from a torn ACL and contending with allegations of kidney biting (Hannibal Henry Melton?), the Cowboys structured a contract that gives the team maximum flexibility.
Per multiple reports, Melton’s deal covers one year, giving the team the exclusive option to pick up three more beyond that.
The structure provides the team with the ability to keep Melton around if he plays well and avoids further trouble, along with the power to cut the cord after one year.
From Melton’s perspective, a one-year deal surely would have been preferred, allowing him to prove himself and then get back to the market. But it’s difficult for a player to dictate terms when he’s fighting to get healthy and facing a bizarre set of allegations.
So the Cowboys get a player who fills a major void on the defensive line, along with the ability to keep him around beyond 2014 if he plays as well as he did before he injured his knee. And if he avoids further attempts at human organ consumption.