The Dallas Cowboys have brought their payroll into compliance with NFL salary cap rules by restructuring deals for three key players. The team was nearly $55 million over the 2026 cap limit before reworking contracts for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Tyler Smith.
Multiple reports confirm the Dallas Cowboys have successfully brought their payroll into compliance with the NFL’s 2026 salary cap ceiling of $301.2 million through strategic contract modifications.
According to ESPN, the organization reworked the financial agreements of three key players: quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and offensive lineman Tyler Smith.
The Cowboys faced a significant financial hurdle, with their payroll sitting approximately $55 million above the league’s spending limit. The contract adjustments have generated roughly $66 million in additional cap room by reducing each player’s base pay to under $2 million for 2026 and converting the remaining amounts to signing bonuses.
The restructuring dramatically altered the players’ compensation structure. Prescott’s original $40 million base salary for 2026 was slashed, along with Lamb’s $20 million-plus salary and Smith’s $10.5 million agreement.
However, these financial maneuvers carry long-term consequences, pushing larger cap obligations into future seasons. Prescott’s cap impact will balloon to more than $75 million in 2027 and exceed $85 million in 2028.
Additional contract modifications may be forthcoming in Dallas. At last week’s NFL Scouting Combine, General Manager Jerry Jones announced the organization plans to restructure agreements with defensive tackles Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Osa Odighizuma.
This defensive trio is expected to consume a combined $63 million against the 2026 salary cap. Renegotiating their contracts would generate additional financial flexibility for what Jones has suggested will be an aggressive approach to free agency this offseason.
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