Dallas Cowboys Face Tough Decisions: Offseason Moves to Tackle Salary Cap and Build a Contender

The Dallas Cowboys are entering a pivotal offseason with a chance to reshape their roster and potentially position themselves as Super Bowl contenders. Despite a disappointing 7-9-1 season in 2025, the Cowboys had one of the league’s most potent offenses, led by quarterback Dak Prescott. However, their defense was a major liability, and improvements to that unit are necessary if they hope to compete at the highest level. The biggest hurdle for the Cowboys, however, is their current salary cap situation, which has them about $30 million over the limit.

Salary Cap Challenge and Potential Moves

To address their cap issues, the Cowboys will need to restructure some of their larger contracts, but they may also look to move higher-priced veterans. This could not only help lower their cap number but also open up room to add more affordable talent through the NFL Draft.

According to Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine, three key players could potentially be on the trade block to help the Cowboys free up space: defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa, and offensive tackle Terence Steele.

Terence Steele’s Future with the Cowboys

Terence Steele has been a key figure on the Cowboys’ offensive line, but his struggles in 2025 may make him expendable. Steele gave up six sacks and committed seven penalties, ranking 75th of 89 tackles in pass-blocking according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). While Steele’s overall resume is better than his performance in 2025, his $18.1 million price tag may be too high for the Cowboys, especially with other pressing needs.

As Ballentine points out, Steele’s struggles could make it difficult for the Cowboys to justify his high salary, but his overall potential could be enticing to teams in need of a starting right tackle. With the lack of quality starting tackles across the league, Steele could still bring back some value, but the Cowboys may decide to move him in order to clear cap space.

Defensive Tackles: Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa

The Cowboys have $63 million tied up in their defensive tackle position with Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa, which is a significant chunk of their salary cap. While it’s tough to imagine the Cowboys moving on from either of these players, Ballentine suggests that Clark would be the easier player to move due to his hefty salary. Moving Clark would free up $21.5 million in cap space, which would be a major boost for the Cowboys’ financial flexibility.

However, while Clark’s contract is easier to move, Odighizuwa may bring back more in return if traded. As one of the team’s most consistent performers, Odighizuwa could attract interest from teams looking to improve their defensive line.

The Dilemma of High-Cost Defensive Tackles

Dedicating $63 million to the defensive tackle position raises a red flag when it comes to team-building, especially when the Cowboys’ defensive struggles were one of the key issues in their 2025 campaign. While Clark and Odighizuwa are both solid players, the question remains whether that level of financial commitment is the best strategy for the team moving forward.

A potential solution could be negotiating a new deal with Clark to reduce his cap hit while still maintaining his presence on the defensive line. This would allow the Cowboys to keep their defensive front strong without sacrificing too much cap space.

Looking Forward: Cowboys’ Strategy for 2026

As the 2026 season approaches, the Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads. While they have a high-powered offense, the defense remains a key area of concern. Jerry Jones and the front office have the tools — including extra draft capital and potential trades — to make significant upgrades. However, the Cowboys must be smart in how they manage their finances and roster moves to ensure that they remain competitive both now and in the future.

The team’s success in 2026 will largely depend on how they handle their salary cap and which players they decide to move or retain. Whether it’s addressing their defensive line or making changes to the offensive line, the Cowboys must make strategic decisions to position themselves for a deep playoff run.

Key Takeaways:

• The Dallas Cowboys are approximately $30 million over the salary cap, and restructuring contracts or moving veterans will be key to their 2026 offseason plans.

• Terence Steele has been a reliable but inconsistent player, and his $18.1 million price tag may make him a candidate for trade.

• The Cowboys have $63 million invested in defensive tackles Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa, and moving one of them could free up significant cap space.

• Kenny Clark would be easier to trade and could free up $21.5 million, while Osa Odighizuwa could bring in more value if moved.

• The Cowboys’ offseason decisions will be critical to their ability to improve on defense and maintain a competitive roster heading into 2026.

Stay tuned for further updates as the Dallas Cowboys continue to navigate their offseason and make moves to strengthen their roster for a Super Bowl run in 2026.