The Landry Hat
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys agree to one-year deal with Brice Butler; A necessary evil

By Steven Mullenax

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Brice Butler (19) reacts to a fumble play by Terrance Williams (not pictured) in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys receiver Brice Butler (19) reacts to a fumble play by Terrance Williams (not pictured) in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Dallas Cowboys agree to a one-year deal with pending free agent wide receiver Brice Butler. Here’s why they had to do it.

The first penny has dropped for the Dallas Cowboys in free agency. After reports of interest in other free agent wide receiver, Dallas has decided to re-sign one of their own.

According to multiple reports, the Cowboys and wide receiver Brice Butler have agreed to a one-year deal that will keep him in Dallas. The financials of the contract have yet to be disclosed.

According to ESPN staff writer Jean-Jacques Taylor, the one-year deal allows Butler another season to prove he’s worth a longer contract extension.

Before Dallas agreed to a deal with Butler, the Cowboys depth at wide receiver consisted of All-Pro Dez Bryant, slot receiver Cole Beasley and special teams returner Lucky Whitehead. Number two receiver Terrance Williams is a free agent and is expected to garner more money elsewhere in free agency.

Whitehead’s struggles with consistency on the field and making it to team meetings off of it could jeopardize his future in Dallas this season. As the Cowboys carried only five receivers on their active roster last year, the team could have been potentially down just to Bryant and Beasley on the depth chart, with several voids to fill.

So, re-signing Butler was a necessary evil. But it was a move that doesn’t preclude them from signing or drafting more talented options and moving past the 27-year old wide out some point.

At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Butler was touted as a speedy, red zone target when the Cowboys traded the Oakland Raiders for him two seasons ago. During his time in Dallas, his play has been riddled with boneheaded mistakes and dropped passes. Last season, Butler recorded 16 receptions for 219 yards and three scores.

Next: The top 30 moments in Dallas Cowboys history

Whether re-signing Butler was a good move for the Dallas Cowboys has yet to be determined. But the Cowboys likely backed themselves in a corner by not developing younger receivers earlier and are now paying the price for it.

Home/Cowboys Free Agency