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Getty Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones continues to trust Dak Prescott.
The Dallas Cowboys are expected to restructure Dak Prescott’s contract to create an additional $15 million in cap space, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer. The likely change comes at an opportune time, as the Cowboys are projected to be $13.4 million over the cap by 2022, according to Over the Cap.
Archer described the move as expected, adding that Prescott will receive the same money he was initially promised when he signed his contract extension. The Cowboys quarterback signed a four-year, $160 million deal last offseason.
“There is no question the Cowboys will restructure Dak Prescott’s contract,” Archer said in a series of tweets on March 7. “It’s ‘when’ and ‘when’ could be sometime this week. He would open around $15 million in the room. The design of his contract (6 years) was always to do a restructuring in the second year”.
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Cowboys can release both Cooper and Lawrence: Report
Despite the ability to create additional cap space with Prescott, the futures of Amari Cooper and DeMarcus Lawrence are very much in doubt. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on March 4 that the Cowboys are “likely” to cut Cooper in the coming weeks.
The star receiver is owed $20 million a year for the next three seasons, but the team can create an additional $14 million in cap space by releasing the receiver this offseason. Dallas will still have to take a $6 million cap hit by firing Cooper. According to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, the Cowboys have been unable to find a team willing to accept Cooper’s contract.
Lawrence is another former pro bowler who is a potential salary cap drop. The pass-rusher has two seasons left on a five-year, $105 million deal. Lawrence is scheduled to earn $19 million next season with a salary cap of $27 million, according to Spotrac. Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reported on March 6 that the Cowboys approached Lawrence about taking a pay cut, but the defensive end refused.
The Cowboys asked Lawrence to take a $5 million to $7 million pay cut, according to Bryan Broaddus of Dallas 105.3 the Fan. If the Cowboys end up releasing both players, Dallas could have more money to play with this offseason than expected, especially if Prescott’s restructuring also creates additional room.
Prescott underwent shoulder surgery this offseason
This is Prescott’s second notable offseason event. During the NFL Combine, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy revealed that Prescott was among the Dallas players who underwent off-season surgery. Prescott is not expected to miss any time as a result of the procedure.
“I think, like a lot of guys, it’s obviously a very tough end to the season,” McCarthy explained during a March 1 news conference. “I think Dak has done a good job moving away and processing it. But he’s back, he’s been in the building.
“Actually, he was one of eight players who had postseason surgery. So, he had a cleaning of his left shoulder. It’s something that he needed to do, so he’s rehabbing it, but he’s starting his process to do it again.”
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