FORT WORTH, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys now have an extra
week to decide if they want to bring quarterback Troy Aikman back
for the 2001 season, the player's agent says.
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Leigh Steinberg, Aikman's agent, said it appears the quarterback
wants to keep playing.
Steinberg, citing former 49ers quarterback Steve Young's
retirement in June, said he believes it would be better if Aikman
had more time to make a decision.
The deadline for the Cowboys to pay Aikman $7 million, release
him or reach a renegotiated deal has been pushed back to March 15.
That extension was prompted by the NFL delaying the start of its
league year from Feb. 15 to March 2.
Originally, Aikman was due the $7 million if he was on the
roster March 8 -- unless the oft-injured quarterback retired.
Despite suffering four concussions in his last 20 starts and
missing all or part of eight games last season, Aikman wants to
continue playing.
"I've made it clear that I want to keep playing," he told
reporters Wednesday while playing in the Bob Hope Classic golf
tournament in California. "We're still kind of working through
some issues and I'd like to play. Unfortunately, it's not as easy
as a question and answer. We'll work something out that will be in
the best interest of everybody involved."
He said his health and his new family would factor in his
decision. He and his wife are expecting a child.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has said it is not in the team's best interest to delay a decision because the makeup of the roster and the Cowboys' philosophy in 2001 hinge on whether Aikman returns.
Cowboys officials didn't return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment.
Aikman, 34, the first player drafted by the team after Jones
bought it in 1989, missed the final two games last season. He
suffered his second concussion of the season and the 10th of his
12-year NFL career when tackled by Washington linebacker Lavar
Arrington on Dec. 10.
Meanwhile, Steinberg said he has held no discussions with the
Cowboys about acquiring San Diego Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf as
a possible replacement for Aikman. The Chargers were expected to
put Leaf, another Steinberg client, on the trading block.
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