The Cowboys opened last season with Ronald Leary at left guard as they returned their entire line intact from the 2014 season, but change came to the unit before the end of the regular season.
Rookie La’el Collins made his way from an unexpected NFL entry as an undrafted free agent to the starting lineup by replacing Leary for most of the season. That change doesn’t mean the Cowboys are in any hurry to let Leary leave for another club this offseason, however.
The team announced that they have extended a second-round restricted free agent tender to Leary. That will pay him $2.553 million for the 2016 season under the terms of the tender and will have the right to match any outside offer for Leary or receive a second-round pick if he goes to another team.
That price tag should lead Leary to remain in Dallas, where he’ll give the team an experienced back up for times when injury or ineffectiveness force them to make a change. Mackenzy Bernadeau, another interior reserve from last season, will be an unrestricted free agent.
The Cowboys also tendered safety Jeff Heath, but won’t get a pick in compensation after tendering him the one-time undrafted free agent at the lowest level.
