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Through his first three years, Sean Lee has been a dominant force for the Dallas Cowboys at middle linebacker. This evening, the Cowboys have rewarded the defensive star with a six-year contract extension worth $42 million.
According to Nick Eatman of Dallascowboys.com, Lee’s contract could increase to $51 million, depending on playing time and incentives. This extension will ensure that Lee remains a member of the Cowboys through 2019.
Although Lee is only entering his fourth season with Dallas, he his undoubtedly the heart and soul of the team’s defense. He is the play-caller in the defensive huddle, and he calls out adjustments at the line of scrimmage. When Lee suffered a season-ending injury last season, the Cowboys lost one of their most important players and their leading tackler up to that point in the season.
Lee is constantly around the ball carrier; he has uncanny vision and ability to watch plays develop. He is a true student of the game. With Lee and Bruce Carter, the Cowboys could quite possibly have one of the best linebacker corps in the entire NFL. I look forward to seeing these two dominate the defensive side of the ball for years to come.
Keeping Lee on the roster was no doubt a priority in Dallas, and locking him up early in the year was a smart move. Hopefully he will continue to prove that he is worth the money that Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have invested in him.
Pete Osmolia is a Dallas Cowboys writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @posmolia and like him on Facebook.