{"id":147978,"date":"2026-02-02T11:01:36","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T11:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=147978"},"modified":"2026-02-02T11:01:36","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T11:01:36","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-cowboys-fans-on-edge-3-players-dallas-could-cut-to-free-up-major-cap-space-for-free-agents-what-this-could-mean-for-their-offseason-strategy-%f0%9f%91%87","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=147978","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 COWBOYS FANS ON EDGE: 3 Players Dallas Could Cut to Free Up Major Cap Space for Free Agents \u2014 What This Could Mean for Their Offseason Strategy! \ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"

3 Players the Cowboys Could Release to Open Up Cap Space for Free Agents<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"3<\/p>\n

By LP Cruz | Mon, February 2, 2026 at 2:00 AM GMT+7<\/p>\n

As the 2026 NFL season<\/strong> approaches, the Dallas Cowboys<\/strong> are facing some financial challenges. Despite the projected increase in the salary cap<\/strong>, which is expected to jump by over $20 million<\/strong> to a range of $301.2 million to $305.7 million<\/strong>, the Cowboys are still $31.4 million<\/strong> over the cap, according to overthecap.com<\/strong>. With key free agents like Brandon Aubrey<\/strong>, George Pickens<\/strong>, and Javonte Williams<\/strong> expecting significant contracts after strong seasons, the Cowboys will need to clear some cap space to keep these players in Dallas.<\/p>\n

While restructuring contracts will certainly be part of the plan, another avenue the Cowboys could pursue is releasing veterans<\/strong> to create more financial flexibility. Here are three veterans who could potentially be cut to free up significant cap space for the Cowboys to pursue new talent:<\/p>\n

1. Kenny Clark \u2013 $21M in Savings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When the Cowboys acquired Kenny Clark<\/strong> from the Green Bay Packers<\/strong> in the Micah Parsons trade<\/strong>, there were high hopes for the defensive tackle. Clark, a former Pro Bowler<\/strong> with a strong pedigree, seemed like an ideal complement to Osa Odighizuwa<\/strong> on the interior defensive line. However, the dynamics of the team changed dramatically when Dallas traded for Quinnen Williams<\/strong> from the New York Jets<\/strong>. Williams is an All-Pro-caliber player with several years left on his contract, giving the Cowboys a star talent for the long-term.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Clark’s production has tapered off<\/strong> in recent seasons, with just four sacks<\/strong> and 26 quarterback pressures<\/strong> over the past two years. His cost, which would require the Cowboys to pay $21M, is becoming hard to justify, especially with the rise of Williams and Odighizuwa, who carries a significant dead cap hit of $32M in 2026<\/strong>. Cutting Clark would save the Cowboys $21 million<\/strong> in cap space, and with no dead salary costs from his release, it could be a move worth considering if they want to restructure their defensive line.<\/p>\n

\"Free<\/p>\n

2. Malik Hooker \u2013 $6M in Savings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The decision to move on from Malik Hooker<\/strong> may have been made easier after Christian Parker<\/strong> was named the new defensive coordinator<\/strong> for the Cowboys. Parker has a proven track record of developing young secondary talent, and Juanyeh Thomas<\/strong>, in particular, could take a step forward under his tutelage, potentially making Hooker expendable.<\/p>\n

At 30 years old<\/strong>, Hooker\u2019s best years may be behind him. Though he has been a steady presence in the Cowboys\u2019 secondary, the team has Donovan Wilson<\/strong>, who is also turning 31<\/strong>, and neither has proven to be irreplaceable over the past two seasons. Additionally, the Cowboys are reportedly eyeing safety prospects in the draft<\/strong>, with Caleb Downs<\/strong> being a fan favorite. By releasing Hooker, the Cowboys could save $6 million<\/strong> in cap space while giving themselves the opportunity to bring in younger, more cost-effective talent at the safety position.<\/p>\n

3. Terence Steele \u2013 $9M in Savings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the more controversial decisions for the Cowboys could be moving on from Terence Steele<\/strong>, their right tackle<\/strong> who was signed to a five-year, $86.8 million contract<\/strong> in 2023. Steele\u2019s development has been a mixed bag<\/strong>. While he is a strong run blocker<\/strong>, his pass protection<\/strong> has been a major point of concern. In 2026, Steele earned a 54.9 grade<\/strong> in pass blocking per PFF<\/strong>, ranking just 75th out of 89 eligible players<\/strong>. This has led to frustration, as Dak Prescott<\/strong> has often been pressured quickly by opposing pass rushers.<\/p>\n

\"2025<\/p>\n

Cutting Steele would leave a hole in the offensive line, but the Cowboys could use free agency<\/strong> and the draft<\/strong> to fill the gap. With $9 million<\/strong> in cap savings by cutting Steele, the Cowboys would gain significant financial flexibility to explore other options, especially given the importance of ensuring Prescott has better protection<\/strong> moving forward.<\/p>\n

The Bottom Line: Creating Cap Space for the Future<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With a projected salary cap increase<\/strong> in 2026, the Cowboys have an opportunity to make moves and strengthen their roster. However, with a number of key free agents to re-sign and a few aging veterans on the roster, they need to make some tough decisions to free up cap space. Releasing Kenny Clark<\/strong>, Malik Hooker<\/strong>, and Terence Steele<\/strong> could potentially save the Cowboys $36 million<\/strong> in cap space, allowing them to target new players in free agency<\/strong> and ensure they retain their own emerging stars.<\/p>\n

\"Cowboys<\/p>\n

By taking these steps, the Dallas Cowboys<\/strong> can continue to build a competitive roster while maintaining financial flexibility, ensuring they stay in the hunt for a Super Bowl<\/strong> in the coming seasons.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

3 Players the Cowboys Could Release to Open Up Cap Space for Free Agents By LP Cruz | Mon, February 2, 2026 at 2:00 AM GMT+7 As… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":147995,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-147978","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udea8 COWBOYS FANS ON EDGE: 3 Players Dallas Could Cut to Free Up Major Cap Space for Free Agents \u2014 What This Could Mean for Their Offseason Strategy! \ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=147978\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udea8 COWBOYS FANS ON EDGE: 3 Players Dallas Could Cut to Free Up Major Cap Space for Free Agents \u2014 What This Could Mean for Their Offseason Strategy! 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