The Dallas Cowboys focus on their own free agents early rather than entering bidding wars for expensive name talent in the first wave of signings, and that continued in 2017 with reports that Brice Butler has been re-signed.
MOOD... #duffingtonpost #cowboys17 pic.twitter.com/rZvlLIH8BF
— Brice Butler (@Brice_Butler) March 8, 2017
Confirmed: Brice Butler has re-signed with the Cowboys.
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) March 8, 2017
The Cowboys are almost certain to lose last year’s WR2, Terrance Williams, in a free agent market that is already bidding up the services of wide receivers.
When Pierre Garcon finalizes deal with 49ers, as expected, league sources believe he will make $16 million in first year.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 8, 2017
Terms are not yet available for Butler, but his deal is almost certainly for less than it would have cost to retain Williams. Butler also comes with the obvious advantages of knowing the system and having experience on the field with Dak Prescott. Now he just needs to work on consistency in catching the ball. He caught sixteen passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns in 2016 as the third outside receiver option for the team.
The Cowboys love his physical gifts, both in size and his ability to create separation downfield. If they can just harness that potential into a consistent receiver, they would have a playmker at the position.
UPDATE
The terms have been reported:
Brice Butler's 1-year deal with #Cowboys is worth $1.1m, $300k fully gtd.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 8, 2017
This is definitely a team-friendly deal. It reflects that Butler is still going to have to earn his roster spot, and makes it very easy for the Cowboys to part with him if he doesn’t work out. This is probably the model for what the team wants to do in filling some of the holes in the roster before the draft.