Cowboys extend punter Chris Jones through 2021

Chris Jones’ time as the Dallas Cowboys punter doesn’t appear likely to end anytime soon.

Jones and the organization agreed to a four-year extension through the 2021 season, the team announced. Jones, 28, was set to become a free agent after the season.

“It feels good to be going into the new contract,” Jones said Wednesday. “I can’t thank the Jones family enough. I’m happy to be here, love this team.

“It’s a blessing. It’s an amazing place to play, filled with a bunch of guys who love football and want to win.”

The deal is worth $8.7 million with a $2.5 million signing bonus, according to a source.

Jones has been the Cowboys’ full-time punter since 2013. He played two games in 2011 and four in 2012, signing with the team as an undrafted free agent out of Carson-Newman.

Jones has averaged 45.2 yards a punt in his career, with 113 inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Last season, Jones averaged a career-high 45.9 yards a punt and had 25 downed inside the 20. He also had a career-long punt of 66 yards in the season finale against Philadelphia.

Jones is the second player to reach an extension with the Cowboys in training camp. Right tackle La’el Collins agreed to a two-year extension earlier in camp.

The Cowboys have also said they’d like to lock up right guard Zack Martin at some point.

This story was originally published August 9, 2017 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Cowboys extend punter Chris Jones through 2021."