Even though the Dallas Cowboys entered the official free agency period with upwards of $55 million in cap space, they still shop on the clearance rack from time to time.
That is the case for free agent signee Miles Sanders, whose contract details were announced Saturday.
But before we dig into the numbers, courtesy of ESPN, a centerpiece take: Just because a deal is "cheap'' doesn't mean it's "bad.''
In fact, our own Mike Fisher of CowboysCountry.com - with 35 years on the Cowboys beat - as a proclamation to announce. ...
"Dallas just signed a potential starting running back for $1 million,'' Fish says. "It's such a deal that even if he's third-string - heck, even if he's cut! - it might rank as the No. 1 bargain in all of free agency. ...
"Because it's all upside and no risk - the very definition of a bargain.''
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Now to the numbers ...
The former Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers running back agreed to terms with Dallas on a one-year, $1.337 million contract. Here is the breakdown:
$1.17 million base ($1.03 million guaranteed) salary.
$167,500 signing bonus.
The contract qualifies for veteran salary benefits from the NFL.
All in all, owner Jerry Jones and his front office worked a steal.
Days after signing former Denver Broncos' starter Javonte Williams, the Cowboys late Thursday night agreed to terms with the 2022 Pro Bowl running back in Sanders.
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Just a day prior they watched as last year's leading rusher, Rico Dowdle, left in free agency for the Carolina Panthers.
Sanders, 27, had his career-best season three years ago with the Philadelphia Eagles when he rushed for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns and started Super Bowl LVII.
Off that performance, he signed a four-year, $25 million free-agent contract with the Panthers. But he was a flop in Carolina, producing only 637 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons.
He had a career-low 205 carries last season on only 55 carries.
As it stands now, Williams and Sanders will be in competition for the starting nod. They both, presumably, will compete with a rookie from the 2025 NFL Draft, as well.
Maybe Sanders ends up the No. 1 guy. Or the No. 3 guy. Or he's cut. At $1 million, it makes no difference to the cap. Which is why Fish is proclaiming it as something special.
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This story was originally published March 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM.