The Dallas Cowboys have come to an agreement with offensive tackle Doug Free over a three-year contract.
The 31-year-old was due to hit the free-agent market on Tuesday after spending eight seasons with the NFC East side.
However, Jason Garrett's men made a concerted effort to keep the veteran at the club by signing him until the end of the 2017 campaign on a three-year deal worth $15m [£9.9m], with $6m [£3.9m] guaranteed.
Free has started 92 games in his seven seasons with the Cowboys, including 11 in the 2014 campaign.