Time to make some hard decisions on a few long-term starters

[Cowboyny]

Tyron Smith-has 1 yr left on his contract and counts over 17 million against the cap. With his long, injury history and the emergence of Tyler Smith, it's time to make the move. Unless, he takes a pay cut or they can find a trading partner, he is a release candidate. I've heard they can save close to 10 million as a June 1st cut.

Zeke Elliot-he was the Cowboy offense for the first few years of his career, but Garrett ran him into the ground and appears he end is here. Shell of his former self and has zero burst any longer. He wants to stay, but he is now a progress stopper that is holding the team back.

Dalton Shultz-I have gone back and fourth about him, as he was a huge part of the team's passing attack, but having Shultz as the team's #2 option means your offense just isn't good enough. He is a good player, but isn't worth an elite contract. We have a few good young options, draft upcoming has a deep class, maybe add a low level veteran to the group.

 

[Streifenkarl]

Agreed on Zeke and Elliot. But Tyron gives us the depth you need for a long play off run. So unless you start a rebuild now, as in complete overhaul, I'd keep him for that one additional year. I guess they will build on the team they have right now, because they think they're on to something. So no need to let him go. Zeke and Schultz should make enough room to get another good WR and a CB.

 

[Flamma]

They save close to 10M just by releasing Tyron. I too think it's time for Tyron.

 

[Flamma]

Agreed on Zeke and Elliot. But Tyron gives us the depth you need for a long play off run. So unless you start a rebuild now, as in complete overhaul, I'd keep him for that one additional year. I guess they will build on the team they have right now, because they think they're on to something. So no need to let him go. Zeke and Schultz should make enough room to get another good WR and a CB.

The sad part is, Zeke is only a 5M savings if released, and Shultz is already off the books.

 

[USArmyVet]

The sad part is, Zeke is only a 5M savings if released, and Shultz is already off the books.

Designating Zeke a post-June 1st release splits his $11.8M in dead money between 2023 and 2024 ($5.9M each season) thereby Dallas saves almost $11M against the cap in 2023 and roughly $8.3M in 2024.
As far as Tyron Smith, he has $8M worth of dead money remaining with a 2023 cap charge of $17.6M so he too would get designated a post-June 1st release thereby splitting the dead money ($4M each season) and saving Dallas $13.6M in 2023.

So those 2 players alone could save Dallas $24.6M in 2023 and $8.3M in 2024.

Time to cut bait and move on from those two.

 

[Streifenkarl]

The sad part is, Zeke is only a 5M savings if released, and Shultz is already off the books.

Well to me it's more important what they're planning with this team next season than what we're saving by releasing someone.

If they want to go another year with this setup then you need all the depth you can get. And he can still be one of the top LT when healthy.

 

[thunderpimp91]

Agreed on Zeke and Elliot. But Tyron gives us the depth you need for a long play off run. So unless you start a rebuild now, as in complete overhaul, I'd keep him for that one additional year. I guess they will build on the team they have right now, because they think they're on to something. So no need to let him go. Zeke and Schultz should make enough room to get another good WR and a CB.

Problem is your paying $10M for depth when that can net you a really good starting DT, CB, or WR.

 

[b0xZZ]

I'd seriously look at drafting Hendon Hooker with the 2nd round pick if he's there. That kid has the "it" factor and plenty of arm strength. Groom him for a couple seasons behind Dak since we are stuck with his contract.

 

[Streifenkarl]

Problem is your paying $10M for depth when that can net you a really good starting DT, CB, or WR.

So you think they'll really gonna sign someone good this time? I mean "top ten in his prime" good?

 

[noshame]

If Zeke is willing to be in effect a FB he can take FB pay and stay. No one else will pay him more.
Schultz no need.
Tsmith big pay cut or thanks for years.

 

[movaughn88]

I was on the Zeke paycut train, but I think you and others are right - they need a culture change and reset at that position. Start cycling in young players there.

I'm torn on Tyron. It's crazy to me he's only made $111M in his 12-year career. While that is a ton of money, top LT's have been making closer to $15-20M a year for quite some time. And yes, I know he signed that deal early and stuck to it. I'm no capologist, but wonder if they could restructure him to be the swing/spot starter for less than $10M a year for the next 2 years to use the dead cap on that instead.

Dalton - never been impressed by him and don't even think he was worth the franchise tag.

 

[ghst187]

I'd seriously look at drafting Hendon Hooker with the 2nd round pick if he's there. That kid has the "it" factor and plenty of arm strength. Groom him for a couple seasons behind Dak since we are stuck with his contract.

My apprehension with him is that he played under Heupel and that OU tree is notorious for college qb stats who are nfl busts. But I am intrigued with Hooker….(pun)

 

[Cowboyny]

They could redo Tyron’s deal, but it’s way too much to keep a player who misses so much time.

 

[tomsanders921]

Tyron Smith-has 1 yr left on his contract and counts over 17 million against the cap. With his long, injury history and the emergence of Tyler Smith, it's time to make the move. Unless, he takes a pay cut or they can find a trading partner, he is a release candidate. I've heard they can save close to 10 million as a June 1st cut.

Zeke Elliot-he was the Cowboy offense for the first few years of his career, but Garrett ran him into the ground and appears he end is here. Shell of his former self and has zero burst any longer. He wants to stay, but he is now a progress stopper that is holding the team back.

Dalton Shultz-I have gone back and fourth about him, as he was a huge part of the team's passing attack, but having Shultz as the team's #2 option means your offense just isn't good enough. He is a good player, but isn't worth an elite contract. We have a few good young options, draft upcoming has a deep class, maybe add a low level veteran to the group.

I wouldn't care if we moved on from tyron. He can't stay healthy so hes not worth what he's getting paid.

Schultz - bye
Zeke - bye

 

[john van brocklin]

Tyron Smith-has 1 yr left on his contract and counts over 17 million against the cap. With his long, injury history and the emergence of Tyler Smith, it's time to make the move. Unless, he takes a pay cut or they can find a trading partner, he is a release candidate. I've heard they can save close to 10 million as a June 1st cut.

Zeke Elliot-he was the Cowboy offense for the first few years of his career, but Garrett ran him into the ground and appears he end is here. Shell of his former self and has zero burst any longer. He wants to stay, but he is now a progress stopper that is holding the team back.

Dalton Shultz-I have gone back and fourth about him, as he was a huge part of the team's passing attack, but having Shultz as the team's #2 option means your offense just isn't good enough. He is a good player, but isn't worth an elite contract. We have a few good young options, draft upcoming has a deep class, maybe add a low level veteran to the group.

Agreed
Excellent analysis

 

[big dog cowboy]

Designating Zeke a post-June 1st release splits his $11.8M in dead money between 2023 and 2024 ($5.9M each season) thereby Dallas saves almost $11M against the cap in 2023 and roughly $8.3M in 2024

As far as Tyron Smith, he has $8M worth of dead money remaining with a 2023 cap charge of $17.6M so he too would get designated a post-June 1st release thereby splitting the dead money ($4M each season) and saving Dallas $13.6M in 2023.

So those 2 players alone could save Dallas $24.6M in 2023 and $8.3M in 2024. Time to cut bait and move on from those two.

 

[john van brocklin]

I'd seriously look at drafting Hendon Hooker with the 2nd round pick if he's there. That kid has the "it" factor and plenty of arm strength. Groom him for a couple seasons behind Dak since we are stuck with his contract.

We do need to start drafting some QBs early.
Got to start planning for a future without Dak.

 

[john van brocklin]

They could redo Tyron’s deal, but it’s way too much to keep a player who misses so much time.

Yep, only keep Tyron for a greatly reduced salary

 

[john van brocklin]

So you think they'll really gonna sign someone good this time? I mean "top ten in his prime" good?

Good point
This front office does not do
Higher dollar free agency
We like our guys, ugh

 

[USArmyVet]

Good point
This front office does not do
Higher dollar free agency
We like our guys, ugh

I would not count on Dallas creating cap space to sign high-priced free agents but rather creating enough cap space to re-sign guys like Pollard and Wilson while putting themselves in a position to NOT have to restructure Dak's deal thereby giving him a 1-year prove it or you are gone after the 2023 season stance.