This seems rather unusual.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Dallas Cowboys “forced” Trysten Hill, the team’s second-round pick, to sign a “work ethic contract” with Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli prior to the team selecting in the 2019 Draft.
The UCF defensive tackle lost his starting job with the new coaching staff at Central Florida, starting only one of his 13 games played, but actually saw his numbers go up.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli spoke to the Dallas media after the pick was made and said that this was a standard agreement he asks of all his players.
“I do this with every guy from a free agent to a draft pick, just my own copy of it, back and forth, front and back,” Marinelli said. “It talks about how we play, what I ask of you in practice, day of games, all of it. I am very clear of it. I said to him, ‘If it doesn’t fit you, tell me now, because you will not be happy here. I told him to keep it, and he said, ‘Coach I feel great about this.’
“It’s just about how you play. It’s a lot of different things, but how you carry yourself, how you play in our system. The effort and the want to, every snap. We’re unique that way – how hard we practice and play. I usually see that on film early with guys. He really plays hard. If you watch his tape, he really hustles. That’s the passion we want in these guys.”
It might be something Marinelli does, but it is certainly in direct violation of the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) and is sure to anger the players’ union.