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NFL sets cap; Cowboys' room is fluid
March, 2, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- With the salary cap set at $143.28 million for 2015, the Dallas Cowboys officially have a cap of $148,298,313, according to ESPN’s Stats & Information.
That gives them $19.15 million in cap room, but that does not include the $12.823 million franchise tag tender for Dez Bryant.
So the closer number is $6.328 million in room, but that does not take into account possible restricted free-agent tenders or money to sign the draft picks.
But cap room is always a fungible number, to use a Jerry Jones term.
Fear not, the Cowboys still can create plenty of cap room by restructuring the contracts of left tackle Tyron Smith and quarterback Tony Romo, and they will gain room by either designating Brandon Carr a post-June 1 cut or by agreeing to a re-worked deal with the cornerback that will lower his cap figure from $12.7 million.
The Cowboys would rather not create the maximum amount of room possible with a restructuring of Romo’s contract because of the dead money it will add to the deal down the road.
Also, if the Cowboys reach a deal with Bryant on a long-term contract, then his 2015 cap number would be lower than the franchise tag as well, creating more room.
The Cowboys want to re-sign several of their own free agents, starting with DeMarco Murray, however, the chances of reaching a deal before March 10 are slim. The Cowboys also have eyes on deals for Doug Free, Justin Durant, Rolando McClain and have to make decisions on restricted free agents, like Cole Beasley, who could receive a multi-year deal, Sterling Moore, Lance Dunbar and Chris Jones.
As for free agents outside the building, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said on numerous occasions recently, “free agency is not the answer,” when it comes to building a roster because the value never equals the cost. (See Carr, Brandon.)
March, 2, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- With the salary cap set at $143.28 million for 2015, the Dallas Cowboys officially have a cap of $148,298,313, according to ESPN’s Stats & Information.
That gives them $19.15 million in cap room, but that does not include the $12.823 million franchise tag tender for Dez Bryant.
So the closer number is $6.328 million in room, but that does not take into account possible restricted free-agent tenders or money to sign the draft picks.
But cap room is always a fungible number, to use a Jerry Jones term.
Fear not, the Cowboys still can create plenty of cap room by restructuring the contracts of left tackle Tyron Smith and quarterback Tony Romo, and they will gain room by either designating Brandon Carr a post-June 1 cut or by agreeing to a re-worked deal with the cornerback that will lower his cap figure from $12.7 million.
The Cowboys would rather not create the maximum amount of room possible with a restructuring of Romo’s contract because of the dead money it will add to the deal down the road.
Also, if the Cowboys reach a deal with Bryant on a long-term contract, then his 2015 cap number would be lower than the franchise tag as well, creating more room.
The Cowboys want to re-sign several of their own free agents, starting with DeMarco Murray, however, the chances of reaching a deal before March 10 are slim. The Cowboys also have eyes on deals for Doug Free, Justin Durant, Rolando McClain and have to make decisions on restricted free agents, like Cole Beasley, who could receive a multi-year deal, Sterling Moore, Lance Dunbar and Chris Jones.
As for free agents outside the building, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said on numerous occasions recently, “free agency is not the answer,” when it comes to building a roster because the value never equals the cost. (See Carr, Brandon.)
