Dallas Cowboys: Randy Gregory extension is worth the risk

Extending Randy Gregory’s contract was a great move for the Dallas Cowboys. His production on the field outweighs the risk of extending his contract.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy Gregory continues to get support and backing from the organization, even through the indefinite suspension he received in February. Gregory was given this suspension by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy as well as the terms of his conditional reinstatement.

The Cowboys decided to extended Gregory’s contract through 2020, adding one year worth $735,000 to his previous contract. The $310,000 of existing 2019 salary was converted into a signing bonus.  This deal also includes performance-based incentives, giving him the ability to earn more through his play on the field.

Daniel Moskowitz, Gregory’s attorney, issued a statement Tuesday upon the extension becoming official. Here’s what was said in part according to the Dallas Morning News.

"“This is a private and personal matter. Randy is working very hard, with dogged determination to get back on the field. Randy is appreciative of the Jones Family’s and Cowboys organization’s unyielding support; recognizing the collective efforts of so many individuals at The Star that have and continue to help him.”"

Gregory is a former 2015 second-round draft pick out of the University of Nebraska. After failing the NFL Scouting Combine drug test, Gregory fell from a projected top-15 pick to pick 60 and Dallas felt they could not pass on him despite the off the field issues.

He appeared in 12 games as a rookie in 2015. After that season, Randy failed several drug tests resulting in multiple suspensions and played in only two games in 2016 followed by missing the entire 2017 season.

Upon reinstatement by the NFL, he played in 14 games in 2018 and was second on the team with six sacks and forced the first two fumbles of his NFL career. Gregory also recorded career-highs in both solo tackles with 19 and quarterback hits with 15.

This is a low-risk move for Dallas as he has shown he can be extremely productive when he is on the field. To put into perspective how cheap this extension is, Gregory will make less than Dallas Cowboys long snapper L.P. Ladouceur, who is set to make $1.3 million next season.

With the uncertainty surrounding Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, the Dallas Cowboys need Gregory on the field in 2019. With just 28 games of experience under his belt, the Cowboys organization is optimistic that the 26-year-old still hasn’t reached his peak.

If Randy Gregory is still having off the field issues by the time this extension is over, the Dallas Cowboys can re-evaluate the situation and make the decision on continuing to roll the dice on him. In the meantime, with how cheap his contract is in relation to the impact he can make on the field, Dallas will ride with the young defensive end as the reward outweighs the risk.