Cowboys' 10 Biggest Cap-Saving Contracts For 2022

[Doomsday101]

When it comes to the coaching staff, the Cowboys were able to retain both coordinators – something that didn't seem that possible even a few weeks ago.

But as for the players, that might be a different story. This team has 21 unrestricted free agents, including about 10 who were regular starters.

Factor in that the Cowboys are around $20 million over the cap right now, and it seems likely that more than a few of these key contributors will be playing on other teams next year.

With free agents such as Randy Gregory, Dalton Schultz, Jayron Kearse, Michael Gallup, Connor Williams, Leighton Vander Esch, Bryan Anger and Cedrick Wilson, there's probably no way the Cowboys can keep them all.

So how do they start getting under the cap? For one, restructuring contracts will always be a tactic. Players like Dak Prescott can expect his contract to be redone, which would free up close to $10 million on the cap.

But the other way is to release some players on the roster who are still under contract, especially the ones that are counting a hefty price against next year's cap.

Here's a list of 10 players who would save the most money off the books if released or traded before June 1.

• Amari Cooper – $16 million
• DeMarcus Lawrence – $8 million
• Tyron Smith – $5.4 million
• Anthony Brown – $5 million
• Blake Jarwin – $ 3.8 million
• Zack Martin – $3.14 million
• Connor McGovern – $2.54 million
• Greg Zuerlein – $2.4 million
• Jourdan Lewis – $2.3 million
• Tarell Basham – $1.7 million

For those who are looking at players such as Ezekiel Elliott, remember that cutting him would actually save no money towards the cap. In fact, doing so would cost the Cowboys an additional $11 million on the cap with more than $30 million in dead money.


Cowboys’ 10 Biggest Cap-Saving Contracts For 2022 (dallascowboys.com)

 

[CWR]

One of the podcasts was saying they could restructure Coop, Law, Martin, Smith and Dak. In doing so they'd save 47 million.

I think its more a matter of value at this point and the Jones model for keeping a sustainable level of competitiveness.

Yeah we hate the fact it's led us to mediocrity, nonetheless that is what we are dealing with, not absolute cap demise. The numbers can be manipulated several different ways. I believe we will keep who they truly believe is of value.

Most of us would like to go all in and if/when it fails rebuild. The results of half measures are well documented now.

 

[Doomsday101]

One of the podcasts was saying they could restructure Coop, Law, Martin, Smith and Dak. In doing so they'd save 47 million.

I think its more a matter of value at this point and the Jones model for keeping a sustainable level of competitiveness.

Yeah we hate the fact it's led us to mediocrity, nonetheless that is what we are dealing with, not absolute cap demise. The numbers can be manipulated several different ways. I believe we will keep who they truly believe is of value.

Most of us would like to go all in and if/when it fails rebuild. The results of half measures are well documented now.

I think some deal will be restructured but yeah I expect some will be let go, I think you always have to keep an eye down the line not just 1 year because we will have other FA in the near future who will not come cheap.

 

[John813]

I think the Cowboys need to figure out what to do with McGovern. He did have some trade value last offseason but Dallas wanted him for depth. He underwhelmed at LG last year and this is his final year here. He can't beat out Martin for the RG spot and there's been no real talk of him playing center, which he did at PSU.

So, do they keep him for depth for Martin/below average play at LG? Do they think he could get better at LG and at least be average?

I don't see Dallas moving on from Tyron Smith this offseason. Maybe next if they realize they have something in Ball or another drafted tackle. Steele to me is a promising RT but swing tackle LT only.

Anthony Brown could be a TC cut/trade for similar level player if Joseph and Wright show improvement.

Have to wonder if they ask Law for a paycut first. And with Cooper it's still a big unknown. They could restructure or move on.

 

[Doomsday101]

I think the Cowboys need to figure out what to do with McGovern. He did have some trade value last offseason but Dallas wanted him for depth. He underwhelmed at LG last year and this is his final year here. He can't beat out Martin for the RG spot and there's been no real talk of him playing center, which he did at PSU.

So, do they keep him for depth for Martin/below average play at LG? Do they think he could get better at LG and at least be average?

I don't see Dallas moving on from Tyron Smith this offseason. Maybe next if they realize they have something in Ball or another drafted tackle. Steele to me is a promising RT but swing tackle LT only.

Anthony Brown could be a TC cut/trade for similar level player if Joseph and Wright show improvement.

Have to wonder if they ask Law for a paycut first. And with Cooper it's still a big unknown. They could restructure or move on.

I saw 1 report that said Dallas has asked Lawrence to take a cut and said no. How true the report is I can't say.

 

[visionary]

Trade Cooper and Brown
Cut Z
Let Schulz walk for a comp pick
Restructure D Law

that’s what a smart GM would do

Jerry? All bets are off

 

[Creeper]

They can clear more CAP space by restructuring some of these guys than they can by cutting or trading them.

Take Lawrence for example, they can restructure his deal and clear $12 million. Same with Cooper. But doing so almost certainly means they will be cut next year. The problem is they will probably want to get out of Zeke's deal next year. So the question is do they want to turnover Lawrence, Cooper and Zeke all at once next year, or start cutting the excess baggage this year?

I have a feeling Cooper gets cut this year. I hope they can trade him and maybe get something for him but who would take his contract? There is hope though. Julio Jones is making $22 million and he has been less productive than Cooper of late. So maybe someone would fork over a 2nd or 3rd round pick for Cooper. He is only 25 year old.

 

[Doomsday101]

Trade Cooper and Brown
Cut Z
Let Schulz walk for a comp pick
Restructure D Law

that’s what a smart GM would do

Jerry? All bets are off

For those who are looking at players such as Ezekiel Elliott, remember that cutting him would actually save no money towards the cap. In fact, doing so would cost the Cowboys an additional $11 million on the cap with more than $30 million in dead money. Cowboys’ 10 Biggest Cap-Saving Contracts For 2022 (dallascowboys.com)

Don't consider that smart what so ever. Take an 11 mill hit and have no saving on the cap?

 

[MajesticRey]

I think the Cowboys need to figure out what to do with McGovern. He did have some trade value last offseason but Dallas wanted him for depth. He underwhelmed at LG last year and this is his final year here. He can't beat out Martin for the RG spot and there's been no real talk of him playing center, which he did at PSU.

So, do they keep him for depth for Martin/below average play at LG? Do they think he could get better at LG and at least be average?

I don't see Dallas moving on from Tyron Smith this offseason. Maybe next if they realize they have something in Ball or another drafted tackle. Steele to me is a promising RT but swing tackle LT only.

Anthony Brown could be a TC cut/trade for similar level player if Joseph and Wright show improvement.

Have to wonder if they ask Law for a paycut first. And with Cooper it's still a big unknown. They could restructure or move on.

What is it with our fanbase and paycuts? No one is taking a paycut!

 

[visionary]

For those who are looking at players such as Ezekiel Elliott, remember that cutting him would actually save no money towards the cap. In fact, doing so would cost the Cowboys an additional $11 million on the cap with more than $30 million in dead money. Cowboys’ 10 Biggest Cap-Saving Contracts For 2022 (dallascowboys.com)

Don't consider that smart what so ever. Take an 11 mill hit and have no saving on the cap?

The “Z” stands for Zuerlein not Zeke

 

[CWR]

I think some deal will be restructured but yeah I expect some will be let go, I think you always have to keep an eye down the line not just 1 year because we will have other FA in the near future who will not come cheap.

Agreed. I wish AdamJT would post here again. His insight and knowledge base for the cap were an awesome insight into where we truly stood. I'd love to know what he thinks about our current situation.

It's a juggling act, with cap increases, contracts expiring and younger players becoming eligible simultaneously.

 

[John813]

What is it with our fanbase and paycuts? No one is taking a paycut!

Our F.O. has asked players to take them before, so it's not some idea that never occurs. Some have taken them, others reject it. D-Law will probably reject, as is his right to do so. He's out of guaranteed money, so unless he thinks he can make more than his base with a cut elsewhere maybe there could be some talks or maybe set it up to be incentive based to where he can make up that "cut" money with meeting certain stats or probowl etc..

 

[AKATheRake]

Cooper I trade or restructure.

I go to a 3-4 and cut DLaw.

Jarwin and Zueirlein get cut.

I draft a pass rushing OLB across from Parsons. Maybe even another LB early as well.

I move Collins to LG and Steele to RT. With the savings I get FA depth/competition and draft some as well.

Draft a TE that blocks and catches. 3rd and 4th rd has found us Witten and Schultz.

All these FA departures will yield us additional conditional draft picks.

I keep Anger, Kearse and Hooker. Everyone else can hit the bricks.

No more of this restructuring unless it's for pay cuts and that includes Cooper.

Younger team with less Garrett guys. Cap is under control.

Young man's game (Cincinnati) unless you're willing to risk 2 years of drafts like the Eagles and Rams did. Or you're like Tampa last year and can add guys like Gronk, Fournette and Brown on cheap 1 to 2 year incentive laden deals to complete your team.
We're clearly not that team with $40 million QB that hasn't won a championship and can't convince vets to do this.

Next year Zeke gets the shaft.

 

[texbumthelife]

It can not be stated how bad that Elliott contract was/is. Dak isn’t a $40M/yr guy, but before the end of his deal that will likely be a bargain. Big second contracts for runningbacks, on the other hand, are never going to age well.

 

[texbumthelife]

Cooper I trade or restructure.

I go to a 3-4 and cut DLaw

Jardin and Zueirlein get cut.

I draft a.pass rushing OLB across from Parsons. Maybe even another LB early as well.

I move Collins to LG and Steele to RT. With the savings I get FA depth/competition and draft some as well.

Draft a TE that blocks and catches. 3rd and 4th rd has found us Witten and Schultz.

All these FA departures will yield us additional conditional draft picks.

You want to change schemes on the defense and then cut one of the only defensive linemen the Cowboys have that fits the scheme and plays at a moderately high level? And where are you filling out all those linebackers spots?

Praying in the draft for a suitable outside linebacker seems incredibly risky.

4-3 down linemen are much easier to find than 3-4 backers.

Switching schemes right now would be monumentally stupid. That’s something you need money and/or extra draft capital to do. Which are the two things the Cowboys specifically don’t have.

 

[noshame]

Coooooop!

 

[Doomsday101]

You want to change schemes on the defense and then cut one of the only defensive linemen the Cowboys have that fits the scheme and plays at a moderately high level? And where are you filling out all those linebackers spots?

Praying in the draft for a suitable outside linebacker seems incredibly risky.

4-3 down linemen are much easier to find than 3-4 backers.

Switching schemes right now would be monumentally stupid. That’s something you need money and/or extra draft capital to do. Which are the two things the Cowboys specifically don’t have.

I would normally agree but for the most part Dallas was not running pure 4-3 or 3-4 but a hybrid defense. I don't see that changing. As for DLaw I would much rather keep him than not but given cap situation I just do not see him remaining at the pay he is getting and I do not see restructure of his deal.

 

[AKATheRake]

You want to change schemes on the defense and then cut one of the only defensive linemen the Cowboys have that fits the scheme and plays at a moderately high level? And where are you filling out all those linebackers spots?

Praying in the draft for a suitable outside linebacker seems incredibly risky.

4-3 down linemen are much easier to find than 3-4 backers.

Switching schemes right now would be monumentally stupid. That’s something you need money and/or extra draft capital to do. Which are the two things the Cowboys specifically don’t have.

DLaw does not fit a 3-4 scheme as a d-lineman. More LB and even there he doesn't suit it. Remember last year? He doesn't play 16 games as a DE for years now anyways. So he doesn't fit anything period. Better off with a rotation if need be.

3-4 backers are much easier to find than quality 4-3 defensive ends. Go ask Parcells and tell me what T.J Watt is and where he was drafted. Tell me what D Ware was in Denver and how Von Miller won his superbowl MVP?

Hey did you see Robert Quinn this year with those 18.5 sacks playing OLB for Chicago?

I can find you more guys but the point should have been made by now.

Monumentally stupid sounds like a monumentally stupid statement period.

Yes, you draft an outside pass rushing tweener LB like I said in my post. You can also get vet depth/competition in FA with all those savings.

Hold onto DLaw for dear life while he sits on the bench. We already have enough d-lineman to fill the 3-4 alignment and aren't the greatest 4-3 DT pass rushers anyways. Let them eat up blocks and let Parsons and the other pass rushers make plays and close in on the QBs.

This team was looking for 3-4 players in the off season already and hybrid pass rushers. Quinn was already having them practice in the off-season.

 

[AKATheRake]

I might even cut McGovern and Anthony Brown if Bossman can handle business.

McGovern isn't worth $2.5 million and that reduces more penalties.

 

[Bowdown27]

Coop cap hit is a ton. I don’t see him coming back any which way.