Latest On Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray
This week’s combine in Indianapolis provides teams an opportunity to meet with the representatives for their prospective free agents to try to see if they can find common ground before free agency officially begins in March. And according to Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News, Cowboys executive VP Stephen Jones plans to do just that with DeMarco Murray‘s agent, Bill Johnson, at some point this week. Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the team is also expected to meet with Dez Bryant‘s reps, after not talking for months, though Jones didn’t sound convinced that a sit-down will happen this week.
As Sabin observes, the fact that Jones is uncertain about meeting with Tom Condon and Bryant’s reps suggests that the team is leaning toward simply using its franchise tag on the star wideout. That’s a notion that Jones certainly didn’t dispute.
“Right now all things being equal, it’s leaning more Dez with the franchise than it is not,” Jones said. “But that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. … We don’t ever want to give up on a long-term deal. It’s something we worked on all of last year and it kind of cooled off once we got into the season. We’ll continue to see what our options are and things happen quickly as you go along. Things can go along with a lot not going on, but all of a sudden it happens.”
For his part, Bryant, who has indicated in the past that he doesn’t love the idea of being tagged, has “all but resigned” himself to that outcome, sources tell Hill. Nonetheless, even though it looks like a safe bet that the Cowboys will eventually use their tag on their receiver rather than their running back, Jones hasn’t dismissed the possibility of franchising Murray.
“I would never rule anything out,” Jones said. “Who knows what tomorrow brings? Things have a sudden way of getting kicked in and you start to get some traction on something. You go down that road and get that done. It’s dominoes.”
The Cowboys will have until March 2 to use their franchise tag, and will have until March 10 to get deals done with Bryant and/or Murray that would keep them off the open market.
East Notes: Bryant, Revis, CJ2K
According to John Keim of ESPN.com, it’s hard to imagine both Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins returning to Washington for the 2015 season. As such, this week’s combine could provide a good opportunity for the team to initiate some trade discussions involving one or both of the signal-callers, says Keim. More from the AFC and NFC East..
- Dez Bryant is considered a very viable candidate for the franchise tag this year, but this may not be the last time he gets tagged. Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com suggests that, if the Cowboys franchise their star wideout this year, it could pave the way for the team to do so again in 2016.
- If the Patriots want to keep Darrelle Revis for $20MM in 2015, the cornerback will be upset about it, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. From his perspective, the second year was aimed at allowing the Patriots to divide the signing bonus over two years, for cap purposes. Of course, what Revis envisioned a year ago doesn’t mean the Patriots will proceed in that fashion. Most people won’t be crying for Revis if he gets paid $20MM from New England in 2015, but he’s seeking a multi-year deal that could pay him $40MM or more. When considering that it could be Revis’ last chance at a big payday, his position becomes a little more understandable.
- Chris Johnson says the Jets were not honest about what his role would be when he signed with the team last April, as Brian Costello of the New York Post writes. “I think I went into a situation where I was told one thing, and it was another,” Johnson said on “The Rich Eisen Show.” Johnson said he does not blame former coach Rex Ryan. Instead, he believes GM John Idzik dictated the playing time. “Throughout the whole thing, I think last year, with that organization, I think a lot of the stuff was out of Rex’s hands,” Johnson said. “A lot of the things that we were doing, I think it was out of Rex’s hands. Don’t nobody know but it was a [bad] situation.”
Luke Adams contributed to this post.
NFC Notes: Rams, LA, Free, Bucs, Hardy, Lions
Rams owner Stan Kroenke is intent on moving his club to Los Angeles, but the city of St. Louis is just as keen on retaining the Rams. St. Louis’ stadium task force has been impressive its quest to build and fund a new stadium, and if they’re successful, the NFL could be faced with a public relations nightmare, with Kroenke leaving for a major market in LA even though St. Louis rose to the challenge presented by the league.
Presenting an alternate theory, Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch offers two scenarios that would seemingly please both entities involved. In one, Kroenke could purchase the Rams from Mark Davis and move the team to LA, leaving the Rams in St. Louis. In the second (and more likely, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk) scenario, Kroenke and the Rams would move to Los Angeles, but Davis and the Raiders would move to St. Louis and a new stadium. As Florio writes, Miklasz’s “theory” sounds like a detailed account, as though he might have heard it from an off-the-record source but isn’t allowed to actually “report” the news, so it will be interesting to see if any more comes of this.
Here’s more from the NFC:
- Cowboys tackle Doug Free‘s 2015 and 2016 contract years voided today, according to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). Dallas will carry $3.98MM in dead money on its books in 2015 as a result. The 31-year-old Free, meanwhile, should be one of the top free agent tackles on the market, and reports have indicated that the Cowboy will only sign one of him or Jermey Parnell.
- Longtime Jaguars defensive end Paul Spicer is interviewing for the Buccaneers assistant D-line coaching job, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. As Marvez notes, Spicer played under current Tampa defensive line coach Joe Cullen while the two were in Jacksonville.
- Even though the domestic violence charges against Greg Hardy were dismissed, the league will take a hardline stance on the Panthers defensive end, writes Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. The NFL has asked to unseal the court documents from Hardy’s case and could look to suspend him for up to six games. If the league does so, the NFLPA will surely file a grievance, adds Person.
- The Lions are likely to lose either Ndamukong Suh or Nick Fairley to the open market, and backups C.J. Mosley and Andre Fluellen are pending free agents, as well. But defensive end Darryl Tapp (also a FA-to-be) is confident that Detriots’s management will bring back a defensive line full of contributors. “I have no reason to think it wouldn’t be the same situation going into next year as far the guys they would bring in who would buy completely into the system and do things the right way,” Tapp told Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
Cowboys Notes: Romo, Draft, Free Agency
It’s going to be a busy couple of months in Dallas, as the organization looks to retain two of the top offensive free agents: receiver Dez Bryant and running back DeMarco Murray. Our own Zach Links explored the team’s offseason outlook last week, with Zach suggesting a variety of alternatives should the duo get away.
When you’re finished checking that out, take a look at some assorted notes out of Dallas…
- Considering the high level of play the Cowboys got from Tony Romo in 2014, David Moore of The Dallas News can’t envision the organization pursuing his successor in this year’s draft.
- Furthermore, Moore says it’s tough to envision a scenario where the Cowboys don’t use their first-rounder on a defensive player. The writer cautions that the team could be intrigued if a “bluechip” lineman or wideout falls to No. 27.
- Jon Machota of The Dallas News doesn’t think the team should pursue a top pass-rusher in free agency. The writer would prefer the Cowboys prioritize re-signing their own players, having a good draft, and finding some value in the free agent market.
- In a separate article, Machota shoots down the idea of trading up in the first round of the draft. The writer would not only prefer keeping the extra picks, but he’s also under the impression that whoever the Cowboys select at No. 27 wouldn’t be significantly worse that someone they select in the early-20s.
NFC East Links: Romo, Peterson, Gregory
It will be a big offseason for some NFC East teams, as the division has seen a lot of turnover the past few years. With all four teams competitive, it wouldn’t be totally surprising to see the Cowboys going from first to worst or Washington to achieve the reverse. While both teams are setting themselves up for successful 2015 seasons, here are some links from around the NFC East:
- Cowboys‘ starting quarterback Tony Romo turns 35 this April, and there may be some concerns about the signal-caller’s age, writes Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPN.com. Taylor notes that since Jim Plunkett won Super Bowl XVIII, only two quarterbacks have led their team’s to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at age 35 or older. John Elway did it twice during the twilight of his career, and Tom Brady just a few weeks ago. Brady’s remarkable performance gives Taylor hope for Romo, showing that in the right offense and with the right coach, quarterbacks can continue to achieve into their late thirties. Romo has the benefit of a great offensive line and a consistent running game, and after being asked to throw the ball fewer than 30 times per game for the first time in his NFL career, the Cowboys might have the recipe for success with the old passer at the helm.
- Dallas has big decisions to make regarding Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray, and those two have both been story lines followed closely at PFR. ESPN’s NFL Front Office takes a look at the conversations that could be going on in the Cowboys‘ headquarters. They note that giving Bryant a long-term extension is a general manager’s nightmare but a coach’s dream. The group also writes that re-signing Murray would be nice, but Adrian Peterson would be the home run choice.
- ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. put together his second mock draft of the offseason this week, projecting Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory to be selected by Washington fifth overall. With Mariota currently falling to sixth, the best case scenario could be another quarterback-needy team moving heaven and earth to jump ahead of the Jets to select him, giving Washington leverage to make a big trade to move down in the draft, writes John Keim of ESPN.com. Keim also notes that while the team has needs at safety, corner, and along the offensive line, none currently look to be worthy of a top-five pick. If Washington targets wide receiver Amari Cooper, the team would have to hope he falls past Oakland at fourth overall.
FA Notes: Fairley, Cowboys, Saints, Eagles
Following news that Nick Fairley was cleared of his DUI charge, the Lions defensive tackle made it clear that he wants to stay in Detroit longterm.
“I love Detroit, to be honest,” Fairley said (via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press). “I feel the city, the people in it. I love the atmosphere of basically the hard work that they bring. I’m just all work, and that’s definitely the vibe I get from the city, and I like it.”
The former first-rounder struggled through a knee injury in 2014, finishing with career-lows in tackles (eight) and sacks (one).
Let’s take a look at some more notes regarding this year’s free agent class…
- If the Cowboys were to let one free agent get away, Tim Cowlishaw of The Dallas Morning News believes it would be linebacker Bruce Carter. With Sean Lee and Anthony Hitchens under contract, the team has enough flexibility to let the 27-year-old go.
- The Saints re-signed kicker Shayne Graham and linebacker Parys Haralson earlier this week, and Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com tweets that the team committed a combined $90K in signing bonuses to the duo. With both players’ cap hits being worth an estimated $585K, Woodbery concludes that the team ultimately spent $1.26MM on the two players.
- The Eagles need to have a strategy to improve their secondary heading into this offseason, writes Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. The writer believes the team will move on from defensive backs Bradley Fletcher and Nate Allen, and he also mentions that the team could decide to cut Cary Williams and his $6.5MM salary. While the team has some in-house candidates to replace that trio, Mosher opines that the team may pursue some of the second-tier free agents, including Packers cornerback Davon House and 49ers defensive back Chris Culliver.
Cowboys Decline Option On Henry Melton
It looks like Henry Melton‘s tenure in Dallas may only last one season. The Cowboys will not pick up the three-year, $24MM option on the defensive lineman’s contract, according to agent Jordan Woy (via Twitter). The 28-year-old will now become an unrestricted free agent. As ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer points out (on Twitter), the move will free up $8.39MM in cap space for the Cowboys.
The former fourth-round pick broke onto the scene with the Bears in 2010, when he finished with 13 tackles and 2.5 sacks. His best season in Chicago came in 2012, when he compiled 32 tackles and six sacks, earning him a trip to the Pro Bowl and a top-six ranking on Pro Football Focus’ ratings (subscription required) of defensive tackles. However, his career with the Bears ended rather unceremoniously, as Melton only appeared in three games in 2013 before injuring his ACL.
Melton signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys last March, and the contract called for a three-year extension should the defender remain on the roster through the first day of the 2015 league year. He made 16 appearance with Dallas last season, compiling 15 tackles, five sacks, and four passes defended. PFF was rather impressed with his 2014 performance, ranking him third among Cowboys defenders. He was placed on the injured reserve following Week 17, effectively ending his season.
Minor Moves: Friday
The Browns released offensive lineman Paul McQuistan earlier today, a notable transaction because the move leaves Cleveland with some dead money on its cap for the 2015 season. However, the following transactions aren’t quite as noteworthy, involving players who didn’t see the field much – or at all – in 2014, or players who won’t be receiving any guarantees on their new contracts. Here are today’s minor moves:
- The Falcons have signed former Seahawks linebacker Allen Bradford, the team announced today in a press release. Bradford has been well-traveled since entering the league as a sixth-round pick in 2011, spending time with the Buccaneers, Browns, Giants, and Jaguars, in addition to playing under new Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn in Seattle. However, the 26-year-old has only appeared in 13 career regular season contests.
- Per Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys have signed free agent defensive tackle Davon Coleman, who spent some time with the club during the 2014 season after signing as an undrafted free agent last spring. Machota adds that Dallas has also locked up one of its exclusive rights free agents, re-signing linebacker Cameron Lawrence. Both players figure to receive minimum-salary contracts.
- According to Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (via Twitter), the Cowboys made one more transaction today, waiving linebacker DeVonte Holloman with a failed physical designation. Holloman had been on the injured reserve list all season.
- Offensive tackle Xavier Nixon has been claimed off waivers by Washington, according to Caplan (via Twitter). Nixon, cut this week by the Colts, spent some time with Washington before heading to Indianapolis in 2013.
- The Falcons officially removed defensive lineman Peria Jerry from the reserve/left squad list today, tweets Caplan. This was a procedural move, since Jerry announced his retirement back in July.
NFC East Notes: Mariota, Giants, Orakpo
On one hand, trading up from No. 20 to land Marcus Mariota would be a crazy idea for the Eagles given their holes. On the other hand, doing whatever it takes to get the Oregon star makes perfect sense for head coach Chip Kelly and the Eagles, writes Mike Slelski of The Inquirer. If Kelly considers the draft a complete crapshoot, as he has suggested before, then making Mariota his top priority would make all the sense in the world. While you ponder what figures to be the biggest sports story in Philadelphia this spring, here’s more out of the NFC East..
- Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News looked at the Giants‘ cap situation and their biggest needs to address. Recently, Pro Football Rumors detailed the Giants as a part of our Offseason Outlook series.
- In today’s chat, a reader asked Bob Sturm of The Dallas Morning News if Brian Orakpo could be a fit for the Cowboys if he becomes a free agent. Orakpo could potentially be had on a one-year deal, but as a 3-4 outside linebacker, he probably couldn’t be a great fit for Dallas’ scheme. He could be a Sam linebacker, possibly, but he probably wouldn’t be worthwhile unless he was unsigned after the draft and the Cowboys had some cash laying around.
- More from Sturm, who writes that he would be fine with paying Dez Bryant $70MM over five years or maybe even $84MM over six years, giving him an average annual value of $14MM. That yearly figure would put Bryant just below the likes of Calvin Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, but above the other wide receivers. Still, Sturm isn’t sure that the Cowboys are willing to go that far right now.
Offseason Outlook: Dallas Cowboys
Pending free agents:
- James Anderson, LB
- Cole Beasley, WR (restricted)
- Dez Bryant, WR
- Bruce Carter, LB
- Tyler Clutts, FB
- Lance Dunbar, RB (restricted)
- Justin Durant, LB
- Doug Free, T
- Dwayne Harris, WR
- Nick Hayden, DT
- Tony Hills, T
- Chris Jones, P (restricted)
- Rolando McClain, LB
- Sterling Moore, CB (restricted)
- DeMarco Murray, RB
- Jermey Parnell, T
- George Selvie, DE
- Anthony Spencer, DE
- C.J. Spillman, S
Top 10 2015 cap hits:
- Tony Romo, QB: $27,773,000
- Tyron Smith, T: $13,039,000
- Brandon Carr, CB: $12,717,000
- Henry Melton, DT: $9,250,250
- Jason Witten, TE: $8,512,000
- Sean Lee, LB: $5,450,000
- Morris Claiborne, CB: $5,175,069
- Orlando Scandrick, CB: $4,351,250
- Barry Church, S: $3,250,000
- Mackenzy Bernadeau, G: $2,824,168
Notable coaching moves:
- Head coach: Signed Jason Garrett to five-year contract extension
- Offensive coordinator: Scott Linehan replaces Bill Callahan (Linehan already had play-calling responsibilities)
Draft:
- No. 27 overall pick
- Owe sixth-round pick to Ravens for Rolando McClain.
- Owe seventh-round pick to Colts for Caesar Rayford.
- Acquired seventh-round pick from Ravens for Rolando McClain.
- Acquired seventh-round pick from Chargers for Sean Lissemore.
Other:
- Current projected cap room (via Over the Cap): $7.4MM
- Must exercise or decline fifth-year option for 2016 for CB Morris Claiborne.
- Top extension candidate: Tyrone Crawford
Overview
As a youngster, did you grow up dreaming of becoming a right tackle? Is there a Fathead replica of your team’s starting left guard overlooking your couch? No, offensive lineman aren’t celebrated as much as the players at skill positions, but we all know how vital the o-line really is. After years of building the unit, the Cowboys’ offensive line helped propel them to the top of the NFC East.
Tony Romo, who has had his ups and downs in recent years, finished the year as the No. 6 quarterback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). DeMarco Murray took advantage of those truck-sized holes created by the o-line and rushed his way to a career year. Dez Bryant cemented himself as one of the very best (if not the best) receivers in the NFL, lighting up opposing cornerbacks on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, the defense went from last in the league in 2013 to 19th overall in 2014 – not exactly the 1985 Bears, but a step up from being the “-Allas” Cowboys.
The Cowboys have reason to believe in 2015, but their electric offensive duo is eligible for free agency and there are numerous holes to address.
Positions Of Need
The Cowboys’ needs will depend heavily on what happens with Bryant and Murray and, by all accounts, the wide receiver is far more likely to return to the Cowboys than the running back. If Murray is not retained (we’ll discuss his situation in depth in a bit), there are a number of options that Dallas can turn to. It’s been long rumored that Jerry Jones would love to land Texas native Adrian Peterson. In fact, the two chatted over the summer and reportedly discussed the possibility.
“Well, I understand, Adrian,” Jones said. “I’d like that, too … Well, I love your story. I love your daddy’s story. I’ve always respected what you’ve been about. I’ve always been a fan of yours.”
Peterson would later downplay the sweet nothings whispered between the two but the mutual interest is abundantly clear. The Vikings, meanwhile, hold the cards and they could still push for 100 cents on the dollar in spite of AD’s off-field troubles from last year. Or, they might not be willing to discuss Peterson at all with Dallas. The last time these two franchises consummated a deal involving a franchise running back, the Cowboys came out ahead by a mile.
Alternatively, the Cowboys could turn to the draft for their next starting tailback. Georgia star Todd Gurley once seemed destined to be a top pick, but his 2014 ACL injury could put him within range for Dallas later in the first round. Beyond Gurley, Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Indiana’s Tevin Coleman are among the best backs on the board and both have drawn comparisons to Murray for their running style. In free agency, Dallas will find notables like Mark Ingram and the oft-injured Ryan Mathews. Ingram, of course, had a breakout season with the Saints in 2014 that was derailed a bit in the middle by a broken hand.
It sure doesn’t sound like the Cowboys will have to replace Bryant, but if they do, guys like Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, Brandon Marshall, Michael Crabtree, Mike Wallace, and more could be available on the open market. At this point, if Dallas does anything at wide receiver, it seems more likely that they would look into supporting players with Cole Beasley (restricted) and Dwayne Harris (unrestricted) in limbo.
On the other side of the ball, Dallas could have a ton of work to do with defensive linemen Nick Hayden, Anthony Spencer, and George Selvie all out-of-contract. Meanwhile, if Henry Melton remains on the roster through the first day of the 2015 league year, a three-year extension worth $8MM annually and $9MM guaranteed will kick in. Melton appeared to be a mortal lock to remain under that contract at one point last season, but finishing the season on IR has thrown that in flux.
Bruce Carter, Justin Durant, and Rolando McClain are all headed towards free agency, which could lead the Cowboys to go shopping for linebackers. Cornerback could also be a need for the Cowboys if Brandon Carr isn’t willing to restructure his deal.
Key Free Agents
Re-signing Bryant will be the Cowboys’ No. 1 priority this offseason. While there was a good amount of dialogue between the wide receiver and owner Jerry Jones, Bryant ultimately didn’t get an offer he liked enough during the season as he opted to gamble on himself. That bet paid off big time as Bryant turned in a career year with 88 receptions, 1,320 yards, and 16 touchdowns. Needless to say, keeping Bryant for the long-term won’t be cheap, and that means that the franchise tag is a distinct possibility. At an estimated $13MM, the franchise tag isn’t a drop in the bucket either, but Jones won’t hesitate to do it if the two sides can’t come to an agreement on a new deal. Of course, the very threat of the franchise tag could light a fire underneath Bryant’s camp.
Jerry loves his stars, but he’s apparently gun-shy about giving Bryant a big long-term deal because of his off-field issues. Bryant’s reps will likely seek a deal worth $12-14MM in average annual value, making the franchise tag something of a no-brainer. The Cowboys could be persuaded into making a multiyear pact happen if they get a break in guaranteed dollars, but I don’t think they’ll mind Bryant playing for his money once again.
Unfortunately, the game of football isn’t as fair to running backs. Murray also turned in a career year, but at this time it doesn’t sound like the Cowboys are willing to shell out big bucks to keep him. Recently, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report heard from sources that the reigning offensive player of the year should command between $7-10MM annually on a new deal. Meanwhile, a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com indicated that Dallas’ latest offer came in at about $4MM per season. There’s one heck of a bridge to gap between Murray and Dallas and the Cowboys might not be willing to meet him halfway. Still, Murray put on a ton of miles in 2014 and his fumbling issues were troubling and it’s possible that his market won’t be as hot as he expects.
On the offensive line, Dallas will have to figure out what to do at right tackle with both Doug Free and Jermey Parnell eligible for free agency. Free was ticketed to be the starter in 2014, but injuries mucked with those plans, opening the door for Parnell. The Cowboys would love to keep both, but that might not make budgetary sense for the team. If Free’s foot and ankle troubles appear to be behind him, it wouldn’t surprising to see him return while Parnell gets signed to be someone else’s starter.
Even though Dallas has serious uncertainty when it comes to its linebacking troupe, the club at least has the flexibility of Anthony Hitchens and can plug him in at any spot necessary. Still, in a perfect world, Dallas would retain McClain and put him in the middle, allowing Hitchens and the returning Sean Lee to take care of the outside spots. It seemed unlikely at the time he was acquired from the Ravens, but McClain turned out to be a rock for the Cowboys in the face of Lee’s season-ending injury. Keeping both Durant and Carter would be a solid play by the Cowboys but with Carter’s measurables, it’s not hard to see another team swooping in and paying more than Dallas would be comfortable with.
Possible Cap Casualties
With a cap hit north of $12.7MM, Carr will be out of Dallas unless he is willing to take a pay cut. Back in January, Jones made it clear that he’s not interested in a restructuring and instead wants a salary reduction.
“There’s an issue of going and borrowing some money, borrowing it in the sense of hedging, taking money from future years,” Jones said. “There’s an issue there. Carr played well this year and I’m not as critical of Carr as others. But that’s a lot of money. One thing that we just got to do is we’ve got to make sure that every way we can, we get the value for the money.”
Releasing Carr outright would save the Cowboys $8MM against the cap in 2015 but it would leave them with a $7.4MM burden the following year. Moving on from Carr would be doubly difficult since Morris Claiborne, another underachiever, is not guaranteed to be ready for the start of the 2015 season thanks to his torn patella tendon. It seems like a pay cut, even if it’s a modest one, would be in the best interest of both parties.
The Cowboys would probably like to welcome Melton back for another season but they’ll probably look to work out a new deal. A new contract for the 28-year-old defensive tackle would probably call for a big drop in guaranteed money with a reduced average annual value as well. Melton finished the year as the 14th ranked defensive tackle in the entire NFL, according to Pro Football Focus.
Extension Candidates/Contract Issues
Romo’s contract calls for a $27.77MM cap hit in 2015, before dipping to $17.64MM in 2016. Jones, as we mentioned when talking about Carr, is wary of shifting financial burden into future years to clear up the current cap situation. However, it’s hard to see Dallas really sticking to that plan considering the work that needs to be done this offseason. The Cowboys have a limited window to win with Romo under center and there’s no real succession plan in place for the 34-year-old (35 in April). Of course, at Romo’s age, an extension is probably off the table.
Recently, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap looked at the Cowboys options when it comes to a possible restructuring for Romo and he found that there were two viable solutions. The first would be a restructuring where $7MM is converted into a signing bonus, rather than the maximum allowable figure of $16.03MM. That would create $5.6MM in cap space with a workable $14.2MM in dead money in 2017. Alternatively, Fitzgerald suggests that Dallas could take away from Romo’s massive 2015 base salary and shift that money over to the following year, where his current base is just $8.5MM.
Overall Outlook
After capturing their first NFC East title since 2009, it finally appears that things are falling into place for the Cowboys. In order to repeat, however, they’ll have to find a way to keep their needle-movers without compromising too much for future seasons.
Information from Over The Cap was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.