The Dallas Cowboys were officially eliminated from postseason contention following Week 16, staring down a 2026 offseason full of more than a few big decisions.
The Cowboys currently have $362.8M (a league high) allocated to their 2026 salary cap table. This leaves Dallas about $34M over a projected $304M salary cap threshold (when factoring in rollover space from the 2025 season) – a league low.
An aggressive trade deadline leaves Dallas with 8 draft picks for 2026 (two 1sts, one 4th, three 5ths, two 7th).
Early Offseason Questions
How will Dallas handle a now crowded Defensive Line this offseason?
Will WR George Pickens be allowed to walk or is a franchise tag/extension in the works?
How will the Cowboys utilize their two 1st round picks for the upcoming draft?
Notable Free Agents
K Brandon Aubrey (RFA, $6.3M)
WR George Pickens ($30.5M)
ED Dante Fowler Jr. ($5.2M)
RB Javonte Williams ($7.2M)
S Donovan Wilson ($7M)
ED Jadeveon Clowney ($5.3M)
LB Kenneth Murray ($5M)
Extension Candidate
K Brandon Aubrey has done more than enough to warrant a multi-year guarantee extension as he approaches restricted free agency this March. The right of first refusal tender is expected to come in at around $3.5M next season, but Aubrey currently carries a market valuation north of $6M. Harrison Butker’s 4 year, $25.6M ($6.4M APY) contract is the current high bar.
Bubble Candidates
CB Trevon Diggs
Release Candidate
The 28-year-old has missed significant time due to injury in each of the past three seasons, earning $42.5M over that span. With the guaranteed portion of his deal now expired, Dallas can move on this March at just $5.8M of dead cap, freeing up $12.5M of space.
LB Logan Wilson
Release Candidate
Wilson was acquired from Cincinnati at the deadline for a 7th round pick, hoping to offer a shot in the arm to a position that was vulnerable through much of 2025. While the 2 years, $13.7M remaining on the contract isn’t terribly daunting, Dallas likely opts for the early March cap space and attempts to rebuild the off-ball linebacker position from the ground up this spring. Releasing Wilson frees up $6.5M of space.
DL Kenny Clark
Trade/Release Candidate
Acquired from Green Bay as part of the Micah Parsons trade, Clark will hold 2 years, $41.5M remaining on his contract after this season. But with Quinnen Williams now in the fold, and Osa Odighizuwa under contract through 2028, Clark may be on the outside looking in going forward. Dallas can free up all $21.5M of his salary in 2026 with a trade or outright release (before an $11M roster bonus is due March 13th).
DL Solomon Thomas
Release Candidate
The 30-year-old is due a non-guaranteed $2.5M in 2026, but Dallas can free up that cap space with an early March release.
Potential Cap Conversions
QB Dak Prescott holds a $74M cap figure for 2026 right now. A full salary conversion can open up nearly $31M of cap space.
WR CeeDee Lamb’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed. Converting that to bonus can free up $20M of room for Dallas.
G Tyler Smith’s 2026 salary is already fully guaranteed. A full salary conversion on it can open up $18.6M of cap space.
A simple salary conversion on Osa Odighizuwa’s fully guaranteed 2026 salary can open up $12.5M.
Converting S DaRon Bland’s 2026 salary to bonus can free up $9.6M of cap space.
DL Quinnen Williams holds a $21.75M cap hit in 2026 but could be considered for a contract extension that would reduce that figure.
RELATED LINKS
2026 Cowboys Salary Cap Table
Cowboys 2026 Free Agents
Spotrac Offseason Guides