Free agent tight end Jay Novacek re-signed with the Dallas Cowboys, agreeing to a three-year deal worth $4.8 million.
"This was a big priority for us," coach Barry Switzer said Sunday night. "Jay's the only tight end Troy (Aikman) has ever thrown to. When it's third-and-medium, it's critical to have Jay. He makes it happen."Novacek had decided Saturday night to stay with the Cowboys, but a big offer from Green Bay on Sunday almost changed his mind, Frank Bauer, Novacek's agent, told The Dallas Morning News.
Green Bay's offer amounted to $1.75 million a year, making its three-year package $450,000 greater than the Cowboys' eventual winning offer, Bauer said.
"If Jay had gone for the money, he'd have gone to Green Bay," Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones said.
Dallas raised its offer twice Sunday and loaded it up front with a $1.8 million signing bonus. Novacek will have base salaries of $800,000, $1 million and $1.2 million and will count $1.4 million against the 1995 salary cap.