INDIANAPOLIS - The Cowboys have made it clear they want to re-sign middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens.
But they are wary that he will command a value on the free agency market that is too steep, particularly with big bills coming due on defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and right guard Zack Martin.
While Dallas will do what it can in negotiating with Hitchens' agent Jack Bechta, it also has to prepare for the possibility it can't bring back the player the team drafted out of Iowa in 2014.
The Cowboys are thin at linebacker, with seldom-used Kyle Wilber also a free agent.