The NFL is spending more than $100 million to satisfy some of its stars before restrictions limit them next season when the league's new salary cap becomes a reality.
The biggest winner Thursday - the deadline for offering future contracts that won't be counted applied against the cap - was Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman.He got a record $50 million, eight-year contract. The 27-year-old quarterback will get an $11 million signing bonus and salaries ranging from $1.75 million in 1994 to $7.5 million in 2000.
"They are willing to do what is necessary for us to be competitive year in and year out and to field a winning football team," said Aikman, who led the Cowboys to a Super Bowl victory last year and a playoff berth this season.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Aikman has a true understanding of the team's goals.
"Let it be said we have a commitment to keeping the team together," Jones said.
Meanwhile, the news was not good for the Philadelphia Eagles, a team already hurt by player defections prior to this season. The Eagles failed to re-sign defensive stalwarts Clyde Simmons and Seth Joyner.
"Unfortunately, we were unable to get it done, even though we worked very dilligently," general manager Harry Gamble said. "But this doesn't mean we've given up on them and it doesn't mean that we are not going to make every effort to get them back here for next year."
Last week, Simmons, a defensive end, rejected an $11 million, four-year offer. Joyner, a linebacker, turned down $10 million for four years. Both are eligible for free agency.
The Eagles were successful in signing wide receiver Calvin Williams, center Dave Alexander, running back Herschel Walker and cornerbacks Mark McMillian and Ben Smith.
Dallas also agreed to a three-year extension with tackle Erik Williams. The San Francisco 49ers agreed to deals with nine players. Like the Cowboys, they renegotiated 1993 salaries to increase payments that won't come under the cap.
Wide receiver John Taylor got $7.74 million for four years, and tight end Brent Jones $6.95 million over four years. Cornerback Eric Davis signed for $2.4 million over two years and safety Merton Hanks signed for $2.8 million for three years.
Running back Johnny Johnson and the New York Jets agreed to a $5 million, two-year deal with a club option for 1996.
San Francisco guard Derrick Deese received $622,000 over two years, safety Damien Russell $920,000 over three years, guard Ralph Tamm $3.1 million over three years, wide receiver Nate Singleton $687,500 over three years and defensive end Karl Wilson $855,000 over two years. These deals all included 1993.
Washington agreed to a five-year deal with tackle Jim Lachey and a three-year contract with wide receiver Ricky Sanders. No terms were released.
Free safety Eugene Robinson ($1.2 million over two years), linebacker Terry Wooden and fullback Tracy Johnson (both $3 million over three years) agreed to new contracts with Seattle, while kicker Chris Jacke agreed to a three-year extension with the Green Bay Packers.
Free safety Eddie Anderson and kicker Jeff Jaeger agreed to three-year extensions with the Los Angeles Raiders. Cornerback Terry McDaniel and reserve center Dan Turk also got new deals. Terms were not announced.
Kicker Greg Davis and the Phoenix Cardinals agreed to a three-year deal for $1.5 milllion, and linebacker Darryl Talley and the Buffalo Bills agreed to a two-year contract. Safety Anthony Newman agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams and offensive lineman Carlton Haselrig got $2.4 million over three years from Pittsburgh.
Atlanta Falcons negotiated contract extensions with linebacker Jessie Tuggle and kicker Norm Johnson, but failed to reach new agreements with Pro Bowl guard Chris Hinton or wide receiver Michael Haynes.
Pro Bowler Tuggle, who had one year remaining on his contract, agreed to a three-year extension. Johnson, in the final year of his contract, got a two-year extension. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
The Detroit Lions, who made Barry Sanders the NFL's highest-paid running back earlier in the week, reached agreements with six other players.
Detroit agreed with wide receiver Herman Moore and center Kevin Glover on Thursday. Linebackers Chris Spielman and Tracy Hayworth, safety Bennie Blades and wide receiver Willie Green approved contracts earlier this week.