Greg Hardy, Cowboys have mutual interest in extending contract

The Dallas Cowboys' interest in a contract extension with defensive end Greg Hardy, as mentioned by Jerry and Stephen Jones, is reciprocated by the defensive end and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, sources told ESPN.

It is unknown whether any proposals have been exchanged. Hardy has played in only two games since serving a suspension but already has demonstrated his dominant pass-rushing ability.He has three sacks in two games.

Signing Hardy figures to be an expensive proposition, as the Cowboys leveraged him into a team-friendly deal that included no guaranteed money and a provision assuring he would not be tagged as a franchise player at the end of the season.

Following this season, Hardy can attempt to recapture some of the money his misconduct has cost him, meaning the Cowboys will have to pay him enough so he decides not to test his value on the open market.

"When we initially signed, talked to him, asked him to join the team, it was not only with the idea of the short term but a long-term purview," Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones told 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday. "He's, relatively speaking, a young player, and he certainly has the kinds of skills and impact that we want to look to the future with with the Cowboys."

The Cowboys have given no thought to disciplining Hardy for his sideline outbursts in Sunday's loss against the New York Giants. On Tuesday, Jones said his thoughts today are no different than after Sunday's game, when the owner said Hardy was a leader and that he encouraged that kind of passion Hardy exhibited in verbal confrontations with receiver Dez Bryant andspecial teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia.

Hardy missed the first four games while suspended under the NFL's personal conduct policy. He was convicted last year of assault on a female and communicating threats in a case involving a former girlfriend. But the charges were dismissed in February after prosecutors said the accuser in the case couldn't be found.

After signing with Dallas, Hardy was suspended for 10 games by the NFL for conduct detrimental to the league, a penalty that was later reduced to four games.