Seven-time Pro Bowl inside linebacker Zach Thomas has reached a contract agreement in principle with the Dallas Cowboys, team and league sources told ESPN.com on Saturday morning.
Thomas, 34, who was released by the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago, following a 2007 season in which he was limited to just five appearances, chose the deal from the Cowboys over contract proposals from the New England Patriots and the New Orleans Saints.
Details of the contract, which has yet to be officially signed, were not yet available. But the deal is expected to be a multi-year contract with stipulations that would force Dallas officials to make a determination on Thomas' status after the first year. It is believed that Thomas received a $1 million signing bonus and that the first year of the contract is loaded with incentives.
A 12-year veteran, and one of only three players in modern NFL history to register 100-plus tackles in each of his first 10 seasons in the league, Thomas was released by the new Miami football regime on Feb. 14 after a celebrated stint with the Dolphins.
He suffered a concussion early last season, was plagued by headaches for much of the year, and finally placed on injured reserve in early December, culminating what was easily the least productive campaign of his career.
While none of the teams that met with Thomas following his release publicly addressed the residual effects of his 2007 concussion, all three made contract offers -- seemingly indicating confidence in his medical readiness to play in 2008.
A fifth-round pick in the 1996 draft, Thomas led the Dolphins in tackles in 10 of his 12 seasons with the team. The former Texas Tech star posted 100 or more tackles in all but one season.
For his career, Thomas, who will play inside in the Cowboys' 3-4 front, has 1,642 tackles, 19? sacks, 17 interceptions, 65 passes defensed and 15 forced fumbles.
Thomas, 34, who was released by the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago, following a 2007 season in which he was limited to just five appearances, chose the deal from the Cowboys over contract proposals from the New England Patriots and the New Orleans Saints.
Details of the contract, which has yet to be officially signed, were not yet available. But the deal is expected to be a multi-year contract with stipulations that would force Dallas officials to make a determination on Thomas' status after the first year. It is believed that Thomas received a $1 million signing bonus and that the first year of the contract is loaded with incentives.
A 12-year veteran, and one of only three players in modern NFL history to register 100-plus tackles in each of his first 10 seasons in the league, Thomas was released by the new Miami football regime on Feb. 14 after a celebrated stint with the Dolphins.
He suffered a concussion early last season, was plagued by headaches for much of the year, and finally placed on injured reserve in early December, culminating what was easily the least productive campaign of his career.
While none of the teams that met with Thomas following his release publicly addressed the residual effects of his 2007 concussion, all three made contract offers -- seemingly indicating confidence in his medical readiness to play in 2008.
A fifth-round pick in the 1996 draft, Thomas led the Dolphins in tackles in 10 of his 12 seasons with the team. The former Texas Tech star posted 100 or more tackles in all but one season.
For his career, Thomas, who will play inside in the Cowboys' 3-4 front, has 1,642 tackles, 19? sacks, 17 interceptions, 65 passes defensed and 15 forced fumbles.
