Thursday, February 15
Steinberg says bonus deadline moved back



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.

Troy Aikman
Aikman

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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