The Dallas Cowboys have officially signed offensive lineman Terence Steele to a contract extension.

Reports of the deal surfaced over the weekend, and Steele signed the five-year, $86.8 million agreement before the team’s first practice on Monday in preparation for its season opener against the New York Giants.

“It makes me feel awesome,” Steele told media members present at practice. “It makes me feel like all the work I’ve put in has paid off, but I also know that there’s more work to put in, so I won’t be complacent, and I’m ready to push it forward.”

“It’s a blessing just to even be here and be able to compete the way I am. It’s just a testament to all the work I’ve put in [and] all the support from my family, friends, my locker room mates, and my coaches. It was a group effort, and it all worked out, so I’m happy.”

Steele joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech in 2020 and quickly ascended into the offensive line rotation, starting 27 games in his first two seasons after choosing Dallas over the Las Vegas Raiders.

“I’m a Texas boy,” he explained. “I went to high school in Texas and college at Texas Tech, so to be in Dallas was a dream come true. Close to my family, and I feel like this was the best situation to come into.”

He missed the final four regular-season games last year after tearing his ACL, MCL, and MPL in his left knee but has been participating in training camp and expects to be ready for Sunday night’s opener against the Giants.

“Terence did not have one setback, didn’t miss a day [of physical therapy],” head coach Mike McCarthy told the media. “He was in here every day, same time. It was like clockwork, watching him attack his rehab, which is how he attacks everything.”

The Cowboys have invested heavily in their homegrown draft picks in recent seasons, and Steele becomes the fourth player to ink a new deal with the team this offseason.

“At every juncture where we’ve had a chance to take these younger guys and get them in line with years to come, we’re doing it,” team owner Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday. “And that definitely says that we think they’re cornerstones.”

The Cowboys kick off their season on the road against the New York Giants at 7:20 p.m. CT on Sunday.

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Extra Points

— Quarterback Dak Prescott may be the next Dallas Cowboy to sign a new contract. Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday that he expects Prescott will be with the team for “a long time.”

— Cowboys offensive lineman Tyler Smith suffered a hamstring strain during Monday’s practice.

— Linebacker Carl Nassib has retired.

— A recent survey revealed that around 73.5 million Americans will bet on the NFL this season.

— Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is in danger of missing the season-opener against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. The Chiefs will also be missing All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones.

— Gun charges against New England Patriots defensive back Jack Jones have been dropped.

— The Washington Commanders have signed wide receiver Jamison Crowder.

— Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs believes he can run for 1,000 yards and put up an additional 500 receiving yards this season.