As expected, Dallas Cowboys' receiver Miles Austin received the highest possible tender offer from the team on the eve of free agency, worth $3.168 million and carrying first- and third-round compensatory picks. The team has stated ad nauseum their desire to lock up Austin with a long-term extension, though, a sentiment echoed by the Austin camp.
As of now, the talks remain in their infant stages; but David Dunn, the agent representing Austin, just hopes that they don't linger there for too long. Dunn recently told ESPNDallas.com that he is hopeful that the sides can reach an agreement on a long-term deal by the beginning of the 2010 season.
Dunn declined to name any teams who have shown interest in the restricted free agent receiver--teams that have until April 15 to deliver an offer sheet.
The Cowboys, somewhat unsurprisingly given the nature of this off-season so far, are reticent on the issue. In all likelihood, at least with respect to a big contract for Austin, the breakout star of the 2009 season, they will remain that way for quite a while, as they wait for a new collective bargaining agreement to flesh itself out to some degree.
"Nothing new," said team vice president Stephen Jones of the negotiations, per ESPNDallas.com. "Nothing happening."
