🚨 DALLAS COWBOYS FACING CAP CRUNCH: Will They Part Ways with Kenny Clark to Free Up $21M? 👇

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for the 2026 season, the defense is undergoing a transformation under the leadership of new coordinator Christian Parker. However, the Cowboys face a significant challenge with their payroll, currently sitting $31 million over the projected cap. As the team looks to remake its defense, the question arises: how can they balance their roster without sacrificing key players?

Defensive Front Loaded with High-Priced Talent

Much of the Cowboys’ defensive resources are tied up in the defensive line, following their decision to trade away Micah Parsons before the season. In return, Dallas received two first-round picks and veteran Kenny Clark from Green Bay, alongside Osa Odighizuwa. This gave the Cowboys a solid defensive front to work with. But things took another turn when they added All-Pro defensive lineman Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, sending a 2027 first-rounder and a second-round pick this year to the New York Jets.

With each of these three linemen carrying a cap hit of over $20 million for the upcoming season, their combined salary will total $63 million. This raises the question: can the Cowboys afford to keep all three on the roster, or should they allocate that money elsewhere?

Kenny Clark: The Likely Cap Casualty?

With the Cowboys in a position to free up cap space, Kenny Clark seems to be the most likely player to be cut. After all, the team is planning to build around Williams and Odighizuwa, who signed a new contract in 2025. Clark, who was signed to a three-year, $64 million extension in 2024, has been an integral part of the Parsons trade, but his large cap hit makes him expendable.

Clark’s deal is essentially a year-to-year contract, with only $17.5 million guaranteed. This flexibility means the Cowboys could get out of the remaining deal without incurring any dead money. If Dallas decides to cut him, they would save $21 million — a substantial amount that could be used to bolster other areas of the roster.

Can the Cowboys Trade Clark?

While the Cowboys could opt to trade Kenny Clark rather than release him, they’ll need to act fast. $11 million of Clark’s guarantee becomes due on March 14, just three days after the league year resets. If Dallas moves forward with cutting him, other teams might hesitate to offer a trade, knowing they could acquire him for much cheaper if he’s released.

As Spotrac points out, cutting Clark could be a smart business decision for Dallas, especially considering their need to make moves to get under the cap. While having three high-paid interior linemen is a luxury, it hasn’t yielded the desired results so far. Instead of maintaining that surplus, the Cowboys could look to draft and develop players in-house to provide stability and cost-control at the position.

Final Thoughts: Can the Cowboys Afford to Keep All Three?

As the 2026 season approaches, the Dallas Cowboys must make tough decisions about how to manage their defensive line, particularly with Kenny Clark’s high cap hit looming. The team can free up $21 million by cutting Clark, but they need to act quickly to avoid triggering his roster bonus.

Given the team’s overall cap situation and the addition of Quinnen Williams, the Cowboys might find it necessary to part ways with Clark, even though he’s been a solid veteran contributor. However, releasing him could create space for the Cowboys to focus on other key needs across the roster.

The next few weeks will be crucial for the Dallas Cow