The Cowboys law department has to work hard in Dallas
FRISCO, Texas – When it comes to the NFL salary cap in 2021, it really helps a little Dallas Cowboys.
The NFL recently raised the minimum wage cap from $ 175 million to $ 180 million, this extra space would help the Cowboys either label Dak Prescott for the second year in a row as a franchise or reach a multi-year contract.
Even with an additional $ 5 million, the Cowboys would not have the space to host the franchise’s $ 37.7 million, or the starting figure for a new Prescott contract. Conformable Date ESPN, Cowboys will have $ 14.5 million for free, which includes unused money in fiscal year 2020.
To create the necessary space and keep Prescott, to add free agents and to pay recruits, the Cowboys will have to restructure their contracts or reduce their players.
The problem with restructuring is that it takes up space in the next salary cap and could make it more difficult to release players in the coming years, because the dead money would be too much.
Last year, the Cowboys restructured transactions with offensive striker Tyron Smith, the goalkeeper Zack Martin and the defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to make 27 million space, which would be used in 2021. In a perfect world, the Cowboys would not reach these contracts now, but it is not a perfect world.
Smith’s contract must be avoided. He has not played a full season since 2015 and played in two games last season before undergoing neck surgery. While Smith, 30, is one of the best left-handers when he is healthy, the “when he’s healthy” side is a major disadvantage.
There is also uncertainty with Martin and Lawrence, due to their health. Martin, 30, missed six games last year due to a concussion and a calf strain. Lawrence, 28, recently had knee problems. Will the Cowboys risk restructuring their contracts and creating about 17 million space?
The most obvious candidate for reengineering is the wide receiver Amari Cooper. Cowboys could turn 19 million of their base 20 salary into a signing bonus and create 14 million (or more) in space. But what is the negative? The advantage of the agreement with Cooper at the time of signing was that the Cowboys could leave it after the second year with a maximum ceiling of six million in 2022. If it restructured, it would consume almost all the savings.
Again, this is not a perfect world.
An offensive attack La’el Collins is another candidate. Cowboys could make about six million seats in his contract. Even though Collins did not play last season due to a hip injury, he will turn 28 in July, so he should enter the peak of his career. Last week, his agent, Dryk Gilmore, wrote on Twitter that his client was not retiring, breaking the rumor that Collins would consider leaving the game.
Again, this is not a perfect world. Ezekiel Elliott? His base salary of 9.6 million in 2021 is fully guaranteed. His base salary of 12 million for 2022 will be fully guaranteed in March. In all likelihood, he will be with the Cowboys for the next two years. By restructuring Elliott’s contract, the Cowboys could make six million space, but add signing bonuses in the coming years that could make it more difficult to maneuver.
There are several options, such as launching the linebacker Jaylon Smith, but only after June 1, which would open 7.2 million in space this year and cost Dallas 6.8 in 2022. Kicker release Chris Jones would bring them two million and it is important to remember that Hunter Niswander, who took over after Jones underwent surgery last season, performed well. Most of the remaining movements would be like finding coins under a sofa cushion.
None of the options are a perfect call for Cowboys, but the extra $ 5 million for the cover helps at least. Of course, at least another 5-10 million would not affect Dallas.