IRVING, Texas – The Cowboys continued to firm up their wide receiver corps on Tuesday as they re-signed Cole Beasley, who had been set to enter restricted free agency.
The contract will keep Beasley in Dallas for the foreseeable future, as it extends him for four more years with a total value of roughly $13.6 million. This comes 24 hours after the Cowboys officially placed the franchise tag on top receiver Dez Bryant.
Beasley just finished the best season of his three-year career, as he finished with 521 yards and four touchdowns during the Cowboys' run to the NFC East title. He only recorded 44 catches on the year – an average of two per game – but he played a crucial role in keeping the Dallas offense moving. Of those 44 catches, 15 came on third downs, and Tony Romo looked for the shifty wide out on several more.
In addition, Beasley saw his role increase as the spotlight got brighter during 2014. Twenty-one of his 37 regular season receptions and all four of his touchdowns came between Week 12 and Week 17.
This new contract helps secure all of Romo's top receiving targets from the 2014 season. Bryant is under the non-exclusive franchise tag, which makes it possible for him to negotiate with other teams – though exceedingly unlikely, as any suitors would have to part ways with two first-round draft picks to sign him.
Behind Bryant, Terrance Williams, Jason Witten and now Beasley all have at least two seasons under contract with the team. Witten is signed through the 2017 season, while Williams' rookie deal expires after 2016.
The Cowboys signed Beasley undrafted out of SMU in 2012. After a sudden and brief consideration of retirement during his rookie training camp, he has seen his role in the offense increase during every season of his career.
