Henson signs contract with Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Drew Henson came to terms on a deal on Tuesday, with Henson signing his name to an eight-year contract so that the trade from the Houston Texans can take place.

Due to the rookie pool figure that the Texans have to work with, the contract is very “creative” and was delivered to the NFL Management Council yesterday for its approval.

The Texans will receive the Cowboys’ third-round draft selection in 2005 if the contract is approved.

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement ends in 2006. It states that contracts can run through 2009, but Henson's deal runs through 2011. Henson's agent, Tom Condon, spoke with the NFL Players' Association about a different structure on a contract and both parties believe the deal will be approved as written.

The Cowboys as well have consulted with league and NFL Players Association officials the past few days in an attempt to get a deal that will be approved.

The contact guarantees at least $3.5 million over the eight-year period, however if Henson plays in 15 percent of the snaps in 2004 he would receive the $3.5 million immediately and the contract would void to four years. If he plays in 70 percent of the plays in any of the first three seasons, he earns a $1 million escalator.

Henson will make the rookie minimum of $238,000. He will receive no signing bonus.

The Texans took a flier on Henson last year by selecting him in the sixth round. They made no qualms about doing so to use as a trade, since they already have the first overall pick of the 2003 draft, David Carr, firmly entrenched as their franchise quarterback.

Henson completed 214 of 374 passes (57 percent) for 2,946 yards and 24 touchdowns with only seven interceptions in his three seasons at Michigan. He was widely expected to be a high first-round choice in 2001 or 2002, if he had returned to Michigan for his senior year.