Rolando McClain: Cowboys Getting What They Paid For

After skipping the voluntary work, Rolando McClain has graced the Cowboys with his presence in the mandatory portion of the offseason.

There have been some mild grumbles heard in and out of Cowboys Nation these past few weeks. Rolando McClain, the expected starting middle linebacker (MIKE), has once again found a way to miss offseason team activities.

This is nothing new for McClain, who has found a way to miss portions of every offseason since becoming a Cowboy in the spring/summer of 2014. Whether it’s delaying a surgery, rehabbing an “injury”, or tending to a family emergency, it’s always been something keeping McClain from being a full-time offseason participant.

And that’s ok.

Note: Forget for a moment that he missed “voluntary” activities. While they are voluntary from a legal and contractual perspective, their attendance is fully expected. Much like Chachkies only requires 14 pieces of flare – more than 14 is fully expected (an unrepentant Office Space reference).

The Dallas Cowboys are simply getting what they paid for with Rolando McClain. More importantly, Rolando McClain is doing what he wants to without overplaying his hand. If McClain were a lesser player, there’s no way he could get away with this. Just like if he skipped too much offseason work (of the mandatory variety), he’d prove to be more trouble than worth.

Rolando McClain correctly appraised his value, and for all intents and purposes, the Cowboys are ok with it because of the contract he’s playing under.

In March, the Cowboys re-signed Rolando McClain to a 1-year/$4M contract. The contract is structured to pay McClain a $125,000 weekly game bonus every game this season. McClain’s total guaranteed money is a meager $750,000 making him an extremely low-risk player (financially speaking, of course).

The Cowboys clearly protected themselves in case the two-time retiree, once suspended, and oft concussed, Rolando McClain, doesn’t pan out. McClain’s play left something to be desired last season as well. He was brilliant in coverage but his shortcomings against the running game were hard to ignore. The Cowboys like what McClain brings to the table but are hesitant to commit to him with so many red-flags waving.

That’s why the Cowboys have been unwilling to offer the 26-year old top-10 pick a multiyear deal the past two seasons. When McClain is on, he’s on. It’s those spectacular performances that have endeared him to Cowboys Nation. The problem is, he’s not always “on”.

Rolando McClain is essentially on a pay-for-performance contract. If he produces on game day he will keep getting paid. If his play keeps slipping or if he’s suspended, then he doesn’t get paid. McClain isn’t the cornerstone player Jason Witten and Sean Lee are. Those gentlemen have the trust of a franchise and the multiyear deals to prove it. They are expected to attend anything and everything Cowboys related. Rolando McClain? Not so much.