Source: Cowboys Talking With Terence Steele; New $50M Contract?

It might not be the highest-profile move, or even the highest-priority move, but the Dallas Cowboys, a source tells CowboysSI.com, are in the midst of contract negotiations with offensive lineman Terence Steele, with both sides hoping for a sort of "Cowboy for Life'' deal.

Steele, 26, has developed from a 2020 undrafted free agent from Texas Tech into a starting right tackle and a premium NFL run-blocker. He is a sort of "self-made man'' as an NFL standout, showing immediately a level of maturity that caused buzz inside team headquarters ... and as he successfully rehabs from his torn ACL, is still creating positive buzz.

We are told any concerns about Steele's knee do not represent a great factor here. Coach Mike McCarthy has talked of the possibility of Steele missing the start of camp in Oxnard, but there are no great worries about his readiness for the NFL regular season. And it is at that time that Dallas could - assuming it chooses to do so - simply plug Steele back in at right tackle, with Tyron Smith at left tackle and with Tyler Smith at left guard - to creative a formidable line in front of Dak Prescott.

We've seen the speculation about Steele's "projected'' salary; Spotrac is writing about him being worth a four-year, $52 million new deal. We have not been informed about the real numbers being discussed inside The Star for Steele, who is presently scheduled to play in 2023 under the terms of his one-year, $4.3 million tender.

We will say this: Paying $13 million APY to Steele would make him one of the top-25-paid tackles in the NFL. One can certainly see why Steele's side would argue for that. ... Just as one can see why the Cowboys might view that number as being outside the range of their "salary-cap pie'' plan.

Many have criticized Dallas for not being proactive in doing deals like this - most recently as they work with Trevon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard on new deals ... not to mention the cap-room-related all-important Dak Prescott extension, which done right would bump Dallas' space from its present level of $20 million to about $40 million ... at which time all sorts of business can be done.

But when the Cowboys do make a proactive contract-extension move with players in the final years of their contracts? Right at the start of camp (this year July 24) has traditionally been the time. And for Terrence Steele, with negotiations ongoing? Right at the start of camp might be his time.

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