Cowboys offered WR Austin the highest possible tender

On the last before the deadline for free agency, the Dallas Cowboys made a long-expected move to retain restricted free agent wide receiver Miles Austin: they gave the receiver the highest possible tender on Thursday, allowing Austin to earn at least $3.168 million for 2010 season.

The offer will require any team that wants to sign the Pro Bowl receiver to give up a first- and third-round draft pick as compensation to the Cowboys. On the other side, the Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones has said he would like to give Austin a long-term lucrative contract. So it is very likely that Austin will remain in Cowboys jersey with a satisfying deal being done.

The Cowboys also offered tenders to 11 other restricted free agents and signed another to a one-year contract, leaving only kicker Shaun Suisham to struggle with his career future. Defensive tackle Marcus Spears is the only other RFA to receiver a first-round tender offer but that was at the original draft choice level, meaning less salary than Austin and a second round compensation for his departure.