FRISCO, Texas – While the world waits for contract news on Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, the Cowboys continue to reach new deals with other valued young starters on their roster.
Two weeks ago it was linebacker Jaylon Smith with a $64 million extension. This week it's offensive tackle La'el Collins, who has agreed to terms on a long-term extension with the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent back in 2015.
Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones confirmed reports on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday morning.
"It's good to get him agreed to for the long term," Jones said. "I wouldn't be surprised at all, think he'll finish his career here as a Dallas Cowboy.
"I like everything about him. He's an outstanding athlete. He works hard. He has played some guard for us, but the main thing is he's a stalwart for us at tackle.
Collins, the Cowboys' starting right tackle the past two seasons, was entering the final year of his current contract, a two-year extension he received in 2017.
Collins started the first two years of his career at left guard but made the switch to right tackle in 2017 after Doug Free's retirement.
Re-signing Collins will mean the Cowboys have long-term agreements with each of their four veteran starting offensive linemen, and second-year left guard Connor Williams still has three years left on his rookie deal.
Now, back to Elliott. Jones was asked yet again if the Cowboys are closer to getting the Pro Bowl rusher back with the team as contract extension talks continue.
Elliott remains on the Reserve/Did Not Report list. The Cowboys will return to practice Wednesday and continue preparations for Sunday's season opener against the Giants.
"We're working with the people that we have out here now and the ones that we have that we know are going to be on the field. And that's how we're preparing," Jones said. "It will be and would be great if, before a short period of time passes, that Zeke would be in that group. But we'll see how today goes, we'll see how tomorrow goes and we'll see how the ensuing hours pan out."
