Cowboys' offensive line already accounts for almost 25% of '24 salary cap

[Floatyworm]

The Steele contract looks bad.

Hopefully he returns back to form a year removed from injury

That is the contract that is killing us.......Horrible signing. The guy is the weak link....

 

[Brax]

Budgeting for the offensive line is not an easy task as this group, whose numbers normally hover around 10 every season, can consume a large portion of a team’s salary cap. Even when only one player is paid top dollar, the amount of money spent on linemen can be a burden based on sheer numbers. With so many teams across the league scrambling for viable options, Dallas has assembled a cast of young hopefuls that could provide depth for the next few years.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/li...-ol-salaries-cap-hits/?itm_source=parsely-api

You know it’s funny according to the self proclaimed cap guru’s here the cap means nothing yet they worry about Daks hit and want him extended to lessen the cost. Look at the numbers and the cost of the O vs D and it’s not getting better yet Jerry is all in, it would be funny if it wasn’t so sad

 

[fivetwos]

Save some money:
LT - Tyler Smith
LG - TJ Bass
OC - Hoffman or TBD
RG - Zack Martin
RT - Terrance Steele

Imho, this would be a pretty good OL with the Cowboys already have. It would be nice if Waletzko or Richards developed at OT.

I’d go with that anyway. Wouldn’t be opposed to using the top pick on a center if there’s a Linderbaum type there.

Love Tyron but it’s time to move on. Another HOF player who hasn’t sniffed an NFCCG. Cool.

Good for Steele. He was a benefactor of the Jones theory….’if I pay him like he is great, he ought to be great.’

Kinda like when he gave DLaw a contract as if he was a sack guy, or when he thought he didn’t have to invest high capital in the OL because Hudson Houck was the highest paid OL coach in the league.

This is who runs this team, and we sit here and wonder which linebacker is going to come here and fix it all.

Pardon me. I’m now gonna add some salt to my fast food breakfast sandwich. Thanks.

 

[Kevinicus]

Is this counting all the OL or just starters?

The OL positions are close to 25% of the roster.

 

[erod]

Hence why I said it’s time to cut bait. But apparently they have painted themselves into a corner like they always do….

You mean like Kansas City did? They had to cut several players for that reason.

All teams paint themselves into a corner with big contracts, but the good franchises do it with the RIGHT contracts.

 

[Aven8]

You mean like Kansas City did? They had to cut several players for that reason.

All teams paint themselves into a corner with big contracts, but the good franchises do it with the RIGHT contracts.

We’re always too scared to do this kind of stuff. I will say Stephen surprised me when he let Demarco go, and Ware. The majority of the time no.

 

[Sydla]

Yup.

Waste some high draft picks on players that won't make a difference.

We've had one of the best O-Line runs ever for the past decade and it's led to 3 Wild Card wins.

Because the coaching was sub par, the QB spit the bit in the big spots and at times, the defense was horrendous.

 

[Creeper]

If the Cowboys dedicated 25% of their CAP to the OL and it was a dominating OL I don't think anyone would complain. But using 25% of your CAP on an OL that cannot run block very well is clearly a misuse of funds.

 

[Jarntt]

Might be another major reason to draft OL early and often.

Agree that drafting OL early wouldn't be a bad idea. It's funny how everyone wants to talk about building up the trenches (OL and DL) and the importance of a good OL, but when you draft OL many complain about it

 

[jblaze2004]

Signing Steele to a contract extension after coming off a major injury was a bonehead move by Jerry. Its like he thought he was playing chess when he was really only playing checkers. He was already signed for 2023 season at $4.3million for that year. We could of let him go after that terrible year or got him a lot cheaper. Now we are stuck with 50 million guaranteed for one of the worst tackles in the NFL. His cap hit next year is 11 million smh. Then it balloons to 17 million in 2025 and 2026. But we can cut him after the 2025 season. Or we can cut him after next season if we make him a after June 1st cut.

 

[CCBoy]

Budgeting for the offensive line is not an easy task as this group, whose numbers normally hover around 10 every season, can consume a large portion of a team’s salary cap. Even when only one player is paid top dollar, the amount of money spent on linemen can be a burden based on sheer numbers. With so many teams across the league scrambling for viable options, Dallas has assembled a cast of young hopefuls that could provide depth for the next few years.

The Cowboys will need to address the starting left tackle position this offseason, and although the upcoming draft is full of options, bringing back Tyron Smith could be the smart play. So could an agreement with center Tyler Biadasz, who is slated to hit the open market for the first time in his career. Here’s a rundown of what is currenly on the ledger for the group going into 2024.

Starting right tackle Terence Steele surprised everyone when he took part in training camp after suffering a torn ACL late in the 2022 season. Before his injury, Steele was becoming a dominant run blocker and his pass protection was beginning to improve. In the offseason, he would sign a five-year extension with a base value of $82.5 million. He would go on and start all 17 games for the Cowboys in 2023 but coming back from a severe injury was probably a contributing factor to his drop in play.

Steele will be an entire offseason removed from a grueling rehab process and can now continue on his ascension to becoming one of the better right tackles in the game. While some scoffed at the new deal he signed, the Cowboys protected themselves in case Steele struggled to return to form. Steele doesn’t have any guaranteed salary past the 2024 season, leaving the door cracked open for an escape.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/breakdown-cowboys-ol-salaries-cap-hits/

 

[CT Dal Fan]

The Steele contract looks bad.

Hopefully he returns back to form a year removed from injury

To my untrained eye Steele appeared to settle down late in the season which is a good sign.

It's ironic that he was coming off an ACL and was the only starting lineman to start every game.

 

[CCBoy]

If Waletzko’s shoulder can hold up, he would be a very intriguing piece for this offensive line. Various in-house options at the position for very little money can change the direction of a unit. The days of bringing in a veteran on a one-year deal for insurance purposes could be a thing of the past if players like Waletzko could stay healthy. His progress on the field appears to be satisfactory in the little time he has played.

Cowboys picked up reserve interior lineman Brock Hoffman back in November of the 2022 season after the Browns released him during his rookie year from their practice squad. The undrafted free agent did not make the initial 53-man roster in 2023 in Dallas but returned to the practice squad in hopes of something more. His wishes were answered as the Cowboys didn’t get out of September before signing him to the active roster where he stayed all season long. The unknown guy with the attitude needed for the position turned out to be a great pickup.

If the Cowboys did not employ two All-Pro guards, there could be a scenario where T.J. Bass would be in the opening-day lineup in Dallas. Having him as a backup gives the interior of the line tremendous depth and versatility with Bass having experience playing both sides.

https://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/lists/breakdown-cowboys-ol-salaries-cap-hits/

 

[charron]

Save some money:
LT - Tyler Smith
LG - TJ Bass
OC - Hoffman or TBD
RG - Zack Martin
RT - Terrance Steele

Imho, this would be a pretty good OL with the Cowboys already have. It would be nice if Waletzko or Richards developed at OT.

This is what they will likely have to do. There is no aging OL to cut to save money. Tyron is on the books for 6 million in dead money (voided year). Probably can not afford to sign a center depending on how the dak and or cd contracts go.

 

[Captain-Crash]

I love Zach. But that crap he pulled last year pissed me off. Doesn't he account for $28M this year???

Considering Tyler and BD are on their rookie contracts that tells me deals of Tyron, Zach and Steele need looked at.

boys got to get his money. That's what I read here every day. GET THAT MONEY BOI!!

 

[1942willys]

We are stuck with Steele and have to just hope he makes it all the way back
But Biadasz needs to go; he regressed this year
And it seems clear he is never going to be anything but an average Starting Center and what it would cost to keep him is not worth it

 

[lukin2006]

Get rid of the often injured left tackle, the over rated centre and the right tackle to start.

 

[Captain-Crash]

yeah, let's get rid of everybody, jerry, and Stephen can pull pros out of their butts to fix everything. :/

 

[big dog cowboy]

yeah, let's get rid of everybody, jerry, and Stephen can pull pros out of their butts to fix everything. :/

In Jerry I trust!

 

[ak47kaehu]

Hope they draft JPJ instead of paying Biadiaz