Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys make an important move ahead of free agency. This move could be pivotal for their 2026 roster plans. 

As per Adam Schefter, the Cowboys have restructured the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott and guard Tyler Smith. This move creates $47 million in cap room. It was integral to get this move done and out of the way, as the Cowboys were over the cap by $56 million. 

The Cowboys had a horrendous 2025 season and finished 7-9-1. Missing the playoffs for a second year in a row.

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys need to show the fans some intent to rebuild this roster ahead of the 2026 season. 

Dak Prescott silently had himself an impressive 2025 season, given all the issues the Cowboys faced. Prescott is currently the fourth-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. 

In the 2025 season, Prescott threw the football for 4,552 yards, third in the league for yards. The QB also had 30 touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 70.2. Prescott threw the football 600 times and completed 404 of those attempts. Having an impressive completion percentage of 67.3%. 

Tyler Smith is another player who is having his contract restructured. The Dallas Cowboys drafted the guard in the first round as their 24th overall pick. 

These two players have agreed to have their contracts restructured. This gives the Cowboys some much-needed flexibility entering free agency ahead of the 2026 NFL season. 

Which other contract can the Cowboys restructure?

Restructuring Dak Prescott and Tyler Smith does help the Cowboys, but not entirely, as they are still over the cap by roughly $10 million. 

Started with $56million over the salary cap, restructured two big contracts, and created room of $47 million, but still over. 

Star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is another candidate who will have his contract restructured by the Dallas Cowboys. This should give them some money to go and spend in ‌free agency, depending on how much cap room they create. 

Lamb also had a good 2025 season, with 75 receptions and 1,077 yards. The wide receiver also had three touchdowns to his name. 

It will be interesting to see how much cap room they make with all the contract restructures and how much money GM Jerry Jones spends in free agency. 

What do you think of the moves? Tell us in the comments and read more at the Dallas Cowboys Community!

Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu