182.5 to 208.2 is it's going up 27.5 mil
I know, but I was comparing the last "normal" cap number to the 2022 ceiling. The 2021 CAP is an aberration due to COVID. I am not hating on Dak but let's not pretend there are no consequences to paying him $40 million a year. In 2022, when the CAP "explodes" to $208.2 million the Cowboys enter the season $19 million OVER the CAP.
I understand. The Cowboys can dump contracts like Jaylon Smith and Demarcus Lawrence. They can dump Tyron Smith and Amari Cooper too. And the probably will get rid of several of these guys. Designating Lawrence a June 1 cut saves $19 million in 2022. Since they have to be under the CAP before the new season begins, Lawrence would have to be designated a June 1 cut. If they cut him or trade him before the season begins the CAP save is only $8 million. Cutting Smith after June 1 saves another $6 million. Those are your 2 June designated cuts. Those cuts save $25 million putting the Cowboys $6 million under the CAP. That's still not enough for a rookie pool.
They can't get rid of Elliott for a CAP save unless they trade him because his 2022 salary is already guaranteed. Trading him saves $5.7 million, but who would pay him $12.4 million in 2022? They can cut Tyron and save $5.4 million or he could just retire. Of course trading or cutting Amari Cooper solves the problem completely. Cutting or trading him saves between $16 and $20 million in 2022. Alternatively they could extend his contract and restructure it reducing his 2022 CAP impact but Cooper will be 30 when his contract expires. Extending him to reduce his CAP impact in 2022 just means they will be paying him when he is 32 or older.
So while the problem is not insurmountable, let's not make it seem like the Cowboys CAP is smooth sailing with Dak's $40 million contract. There is a consequence to paying one player - any player - that much money. When Gallup and others leave for free agency, we will see the consequences of it.