Cowboys’ C Travis Frederick Getting ‘Significant’ Contract

Travis Frederick currently ranks as the top likely candidate to receive a contract extension from the Dallas Cowboys before the start of the 2016 season and rightfully so. Frederick has solidified himself as one of the top centers in the NFL, illustrated by his second Pro-Bowl bid in 2015 to go along with a first-team All-Pro selection. For the second consecutive year, Frederick was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the top-overall center in the NFL.

As the Cowboys enter the home stretch of training camp, an extension for Frederick seems already in the works with the hope of having it finished prior to the start of the regular season. The Cowboys picked up his fifth-year option earlier this off-season, but the desire has been expressed by all parties to get a deal done. Executive Vice President Stephen Jones all but confirmed the desire, “Travis has been great for us. Not only is he a great football player on the field, he represents… What you want off the field.”

So what will a contract look like for one of the leagues best centers, in an age where money seems to be thrown around like candy at a 4th of July parade? Stephen Jones continues by saying “Obviously Travis is a Pro Bowler and great player and certainly it’ll be a significant contract.”

What does a “significant” contract for Frederick look like? Earlier this off-season, the Falcons gave Alex Mack a five-year, $45 million contract, averaging out at $9 million per year. Last year, the Raiders signed Rodney Hudson to a five-year $44.5 million contract and the Dolphins inked Mike Pouncey to a five-year extension worth $52.15 million.

While these may seem like excessive deals, especially for the center position, it’s very likely that Frederick’s new extension will at least meet, if not surpass, those signed within the last two seasons.

Such as a five-year, $55 million extension that would make Frederick the highest paid center of all-time. While it may seem like a lot of money, today’s NFL has taught us that if you don’t pay it, someone else will. The Cowboys have established an offensive identity that revolves around a strong offensive line. Locking Tyron Smith up to a massive contract in 2014 was the first step in maintaining this identity. Frederick will simply continue the trend.

While we have yet to see the deal signed and both sides agree, one thing is for certain: Travis Frederick is about to get paid and that money will most likely make him the highest-paid player we’ve ever seen at his position.