NFL teams
Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Orlando Scandrick agrees to deal through 2019 worth $20M

NFL, Dallas Cowboys

IRVING, Texas - A little more than a week after meeting with the team about a new contract, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick got his wish.

Scandrick on Friday agreed to a deal through 2019 and is scheduled to make $20 million, including $4 million this year, according to a source. He was scheduled to make $1.5 million in 2015 on a deal reworked in 2013, but the Cowboys wanted to reward Scandrick, their best cornerback, who was set to be the team's fourth-highest paid cornerback this year.

"I think this was a special circumstance," Scandrick said. "Two years ago when I signed an extension it was essentially a pay cut. It's not normal you see guys take pay cuts in the prime of their career. A lot of people look at the overall numbers and think you signed a new deal and it was something I wanted to do to essentially stay with the team and have some stability. Looking back on it I don't know if it was the best decision, but now waking up here today it's all irrelevant and I've moved past it. I can't put into words how appreciative I am of the Jones family and the organization."

Scandrick, a fifth-round pick in 2008, has started 29 of the last 30 games in which he has been on the active roster after serving as the team's nickel cornerback his first five seasons. He has seven career interceptions, 57 pass breakups and 9.5 sacks. He missed the first two games last season because of a suspension, but finished with 54 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss, two picks, 11 pass deflections and two forced fumbles.

"I would like to think I'm going to be (a Cowboy) for life," Scandrick said. "It's going on eight years. It's now on me to take care of my end of the bargain and continue to be a productive player."

With Scandrick's deal out of the way, the Cowboys could potentially look into the contract of cornerback Brandon Carr. He is set to make $8 million this season and count $12.7 million against the cap. The Cowboys have yet to approach Carr about a new deal, and owner and general manager Jerry Jones has said numerous times this offseason he wants Carr to stay.

The Cowboys need him with the uncertain status of Morris Claiborne, who is coming back from a torn patellar tendon and is not expected to practice until training camp. Claiborne is set to make $2.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract.

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