Four ways the Dallas Cowboys can save salary cap space

#2 – Tank Lawrence Restructured

This past offseason, defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was given quite a hefty contract. The good news is Dallas will retain him through the 2023 season. The bad news is he is averaging $21 million per season.

I understand that he is still far behind Chicago Bears pass rusher Khalil Mack, but It’s still a good chunk of the cap. He will take up $21.9 million of the cap this upcoming season.

If the Cowboys restructure Lawrence’s contract, they can save $12 million. That is an option Dallas can look at, but shouldn’t jump into.

If they end up going through with the restructure, then later on the money will come up again. The cap will be lower this year, but be higher later on. His contract was already structured as such, going from $11.1 million this past season, up to $21.9 this season.

It’s an option, but how much of a pain will it be later? Is it worth it if the cap will suffer in the long run? That’s a very good question and one that needs to be kept in mind before anything is finalized.

It’s important to realize that contracts to linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and wide receiver Michael Gallup will need to be handed out before Lawrence’s contract is up. All the restructure will do is save cap this season, and pay much more next season.

That doesn’t mean this option should be completely ruled out. This may be something Dallas can look at if they are in an absolute need for more money. It should be looked at as a last resort, and hopefully, nothing less.