Jun 3, 2008 - 6:48 PM
0 shoutsIRVING, Texas (Ticker) -- Terrell Owens celebrated his newfound job security in typical fashion - with a multitude of television cameras and a big bowl of popcorn.
Owens and the Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms Tuesday on a three-year contract extension worth $27 million.
The deal, which was formally announced at a news conference from Valley Ranch, will keep the theatrical wide receiver under contract with the Cowboys through the 2011 season.
Flanked by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and agent Drew Rosenhaus and seated behind a massive tin bowl full of popcorn, Owens claimed that it would be the last contract of his career.
"With this contract, I know I'm a Cowboy for life," Owens said. "I can't say enough about Drew and how he got this done. It was always a possibility that I could end my career with the Cowboys - now that's gonna happen."
According to numerous reports, Owens also received a signing bonus worth approximately $13 million.Jones acknowledged that the Cowboys initiated the negotiation process with Rosenhaus and Owens, who will enter his third year in Dallas.
"(Owens) earned this contract through production and performance," Jones said. "Not one time did Drew or Terrell approach us about a contract extension."
"I didn't expect this contract so soon," Owens added. "I though the regular season would begin and we would work it out during the season. What this does is eliminates distractions during the season."
Owens, who will turn 35 in December, was entering the third and final season of a $25 million contract with the Cowboys. The talented but controversial wideout was scheduled to receive a $3 million roster bonus Tuesday.
But the new deal will give Owens long-term job security, the lack of which previously led to messy departures with both the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles.
"I wanted Terrell to see we were committed to him, committed to being the best as we can be as a team," Jones said.
"Simply put, I wish I had more players on the Dallas Cowboys," Rosenhaus added. "No disrespect to other clubs in the NFL, but the Cowboys have the commitment, passion and zeal to sign the best players."
Owens' deal is identical to the three-year, $27 million contract Randy Moss signed with the New England Patriots three months ago.
In his first two seasons with the Cowboys, Owens has 166 catches for 2,535 yards and 28 touchdowns. He holds the team's single-season record with 15 TDs set last year.
"Terrell being here and performing at his best is a lot better than many people outside this organization thought it would be," Jones said.
Owens has 882 receptions - ninth in NFL history - in 11 seasons with the 49ers, Eagles and Cowboys. A third-round pick of San Francisco in 1996, Owens had 129 career touchdown receptions - good for third all-time behind Jerry Rice (197) and Cris Carter (130).
Owens has hauled in at least 13 touchdown catches in seven seasons; only Rice has managed eight seasons with that many scoring passes. The combustible wideout also had eight 1,000-yard seasons, including five straight from 2000-04.
Last month, the Cowboys lavished a pair of seven-year contracts worth a reported $95 million on Pro Bowlers Marion Barber - also a Rosenhaus client - and Terence Newman.
Led by Owens and quarterback Tony Romo, the Cowboys went 13-3 last season en route to the NFC East Division title and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
But Dallas was upset at home by the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs.
"We are looking forward to next season," Owens said. "We want to sustain our success in the regular season and have a better outcome in the playoffs."
"We are trying to get a hold of that Lombardi Trophy," Jones added. "That's what this is all about."
