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What will the Dallas Cowboys do with all that salary cap space?

By Steven Mullenax

Jul 29, 2016, Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones (left) and owner Jerry Jones at press conference at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016, Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones (left) and owner Jerry Jones at press conference at the River Ridge Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Dallas Cowboys are scheduled to receive a financial boost on June 2nd due to their release of Tony Romo. But what will they do with all that salary cap space?

The Dallas Cowboys strategically designated former starting quarterback Tony Romo a post-June 1st cut early last month so they could benefit the most financially. The move to release the retiring Romo spread out his massive cap hit to $10.7 million this season and $8.9 million the following one.

That means in just a little over a week, the Cowboys will have the benefit of $14 million in additional salary cap space. According to Spotrac.com, Dallas’ current cap sits at $3,428,420.

So once the Cowboys are “flush with cash”, will they go out and try to sign free agents like linebacker Daryl Washington or cornerback Darrelle Revis?

According to one Cowboys insider, fans shouldn’t expect Dallas’ brass to go on a massive spending spree. As has been their modus operandi of late, the Cowboys will likely continue to practice financial prudence, keeping that money in-house.

"“The biggest acquisition of the offseason will come June 2, when they add $14 million in cap space with Tony Romo’s release becoming official,” wrote ESPN’s Todd Archer recently. “Don’t expect the Cowboys to immediately shell out for free agents, though. They’ll save the cap space for the future to avoid restructuring as many contracts as they have done over the past few years.”"

For months it’s been speculated that the Cowboys will use these additional monies to sign their rookie draft class and to work out an extension for All-Pro guard Zack Martin.

The 26-year old Martin is a three-time Pro Bowler who is under contract with the Cowboys through 2018. Dallas exercised the fifth-year team option on his rookie contract just last month. It is no secret the Cowboys want to lock down Martin long term and are expected to do so during training camp.

Next: Projecting the Dallas Cowboys final 53-man roster on offense

Martin is expected to garner the biggest contract of any NFL guard in the league. That title is currently held by Cleveland Browns guard Kevin Zeitler. The 27-year old signed a five-year, $60 million deal in March to join the Browns with a whopping $31.5 million guaranteed. He’ll be making an average of $12 million a year.

Suddenly, $14 million dollars of additional salary cap space doesn’t seem like a lot.

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