The Cowboys’ experiment with Rolando McClain, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft who has retired twice in four seasons, has been a pleasant surprise this season. An ailing Dallas defense snagged the talented Alabama linebacker for $700,000 of non-guaranteed money and a sixth-round draft pick. They also momentarily plugged the gap left behind by Sean Lee.

But after a season in which McClain significantly out-performs his bargain deal, the 25-year-old will likely want to be compensated like a top-20 linebacker that is still ascending and is well under 30. That is what makes these comments by Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones interesting to explore:

“We want to keep good football players that do the right thing on and off the field,” Jones said Monday on KRLD-FM in Dallas, via ESPN. “Everything we see so far from Rolando is he’s one of those guys. I certainly see a situation where we’re going to be trying to sign him to a long-term contract and keep him here with the Dallas Cowboys. He’s certainly made a difference. He goes about his business the way we want to see them go about their business

via Connor Orr of NFL.com