With the new league year looming, the Dallas Cowboys are staring down a $31 million salary cap overage-and the clock is ticking. That’s not exactly ideal for a team with multiple key players set to hit free agency.
But while the situation looks tight on paper, Dallas has a few levers it can pull to create some much-needed financial breathing room. The Cowboys don’t necessarily have to cut big names to make it work.
With some smart restructuring, they can keep their core intact and stay under the cap. Let’s break down the most likely contracts they could adjust-and what those moves would mean both now and down the line.
Dak Prescott: The Big Domino
Let’s start with the obvious. Dak Prescott’s contract is the elephant in the room-and the key to unlocking a massive chunk of cap space.
He’s set to count $74 million against the cap this season, which is nearly a quarter of the team’s total salary cap. That’s a staggering number, even for a franchise quarterback.
The Cowboys have a potential out here: they can convert about $40 million of Prescott’s base salary into a signing bonus. That move alone would give them immediate cap relief and could single-handedly bring them under the salary cap threshold. But there’s a catch-and it’s a big one.
Restructuring Dak’s deal at the full $40 million level would push significant money into future years. We’re talking about cap hits north of $75 million in 2027 and potentially over $85 million in 2028.
That’s the kind of financial baggage that can limit roster flexibility down the road. So while a restructure helps now, it’s a classic short-term gain vs. long-term pain scenario.
The Cowboys will need to decide whether the immediate relief is worth the future squeeze.
CeeDee Lamb: Another Trip to the Well
CeeDee Lamb’s cap number isn’t nearly as eye-popping as Prescott’s, but there’s still real savings to be had here. His $25 million base salary becomes guaranteed in March, and Dallas has already restructured his deal once. There’s no reason they can’t do it again.
A second restructure could free up as much as $18.4 million in cap space. That’s a significant number-and it could come at a perfect time. If Dallas is looking to get a new deal done with fellow wideout George Pickens, clearing space via Lamb’s contract could help make that happen.
Lamb has become the kind of player you build around, not move on from. If the Cowboys are serious about keeping their offensive weapons intact, restructuring his deal is a logical step.
Tyler Smith: Cap Relief from the Trenches
Tyler Smith might not have the same star power as Dak or CeeDee, but his value to the Cowboys is undeniable. He’s been a Pro Bowler in each of the last three seasons and has quickly become a cornerstone of the offensive line.
Right now, Smith carries a $27.5 million cap hit for 2026, accounting for about 10% of the team’s total cap. But just like with Lamb, Dallas can save close to $18 million by converting his base salary into a bonus.
Of course, the same principle applies here: pushing money into future years means more cap hits down the road. But for a player of Smith’s caliber, the Cowboys likely won’t hesitate. He’s earned that investment, and the team knows it.
Quinnen Williams: A New Face with Flexibility
Then there’s Quinnen Williams, the high-profile addition who’s already proving to be a key piece of the Cowboys' defensive front. He’s under contract through 2027, but Dallas could restructure his deal now to save $13.75 million in 2026.
That move would increase his cap hit next year, but it’s a manageable trade-off-especially if the Cowboys plan to extend him anyway. Williams is still ascending, and locking him in long-term while smoothing out his cap numbers would be a win-win.
The Bottom Line
The Cowboys are in a tight spot, but they’re not out of options. With strategic restructures-starting with Prescott, Lamb, Smith, and Williams-they can create the cap space they need without gutting the roster. Yes, it means pushing some financial weight into future seasons, but that’s the cost of keeping a contender intact.
This is the kind of offseason where front office decisions matter just as much as draft picks or free agent signings. The Cowboys have the tools to navigate the cap crunch. Now it’s just about how-and when-they choose to use them.