It appears that not many know the Cowboys' cap situation heading into 2026, with many thinking that Dallas won't be able to spend in free agency.
The Dallas Cowboys and their salary cap situation are one that continues to be a big topic of discussion as free agency nears.
The Cowboys are currently about $30 million over the cap - key word "currently'' - because have until the new league year begins to be under it.
And yes, they HAVE to be cap-compliant by March 11. There are no ifs or buts.
Of course, Dallas, like all other NFL teams, will be under the salary cap by then.
But it appears some are a little confused about how Dallas will handle its business this offseason, given its supposed "poor" cap situation.
With George Pickens and Javonte Williams seen as the two big issues the Cowboys have to get sorted out, not to mention the franchise needing to be aggressive in free agency, some think it will be tough to get things done.
Including NFL.com.
"Dallas is rarely the flashiest team in free agency, but starting in the red with a gutted defense isn’t going to help," the site wrote. "If Jerry Jones and Co. intend to keep Pickens and Williams at the core of the offense, it could take upwards of $40 million a year for that duo alone.
"It’s going to be very tough for the Cowboys to get better in what is shaping up to be a tough NFC East next season."
And it's not just "the nationals and the casuals.'' The Dallas News is making the same error, this weekend writing that the "puzzle'' might not fit together financially as "there’s been a question about whether the Cowboys can afford to keep both Pickens and CeeDee Lamb ...''
Ok, here is where we step in. Again.
We have repeatedly stated that the Cowboys, with a flip of the switch on several contracts and the cutting of players, can get up to and over $100 million in cap space for 2026.
And Over The Cap verifies the numbers as we've reported them.
With re-do's of some sort on Dak Prescott ($30 million), CeeDee Lamb ($19 million), Tyler Smith ($17 million), Quinnen Williams ($14 million), Kenny Clark ($9 million), and Osa Odighizua ($12 million), Dallas can create over $1`00 million in cap savings.
We've been reporting this for months.
And yes, ... It's that simple.
In some cases, doing this pushes money down the road for Dallas to pay later, but let's not get it twisted, the Cowboys won't have any trouble signing players this offseason - should they choose to do so.
So we aren't sure why this is still being pushed by the media. ... and serves only to misinform fans.
Dallas isn't in bad shape with its cap situation, and we've just outlined how easy it is for the Cowboys not only to be cap-compliant by the start of the league year but to have more than enough money to sign Pickens, Williams, and a host of free agents.
So, yes, this offseason's solutions are already in place as they relate to signing Pickens and others ... and in many cases they've been in place for years, dating back for instance to Dak's 2024 contract signing.