The Dallas Cowboys always find ways to manipulate the cap. They add void years and constantly push back money to pay off later. It enables the team flexibility to make room initially to pay someone else at the moment or keep the created space as rollover cap space to pay off salaries the next year.
This is going to be a lot of numbers, so I'll try to break it down for you year-by-year. There's no better place to start than the present.
As of this writing, Dallas has $23 million in cap space, and over $41 million pushed back in void years. They're also paying $22.67 million in dead cap. There is enough room for the team to make a trade and acquire talent to compete this season. However, considering their poor performance, it's unlikely.
Assessing the Cowboys' future salary cap amid disappointing 2024 season
The Cowboys' projected cap space next season is $25.65 million, with a possible $20 million in rollover cap. That makes the adjusted cap space jump to $45.65 million for 2025. That's a large chunk of change, but it doesn't include re-signing players on expiring contracts.
Three starters on offense and four on defense are on expiring contracts, along with three key players on special teams. Among the players are right guard Zack Martin, edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence, and interior defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa.
Considering the market for the respective positions, it is unlikely that the Cowboys can afford all three to return in 2025. That's with the assumption that the 35-year-old Martin and 33-year-old Lawrence want to continue playing football.
The 2026 season appears to be the target for competing. The Cowboys will have a projected $123.6 million in cap space before rollover cap and signings from this upcoming offseason. The players' requiring contracts, though, is alarming.
Likely two, and possibly three impact players will be without a contract. Edge rusher Micah Parsons and cornerback DaRon Bland will be free to explore free agency if they want. The third player, offensive lineman Tyler Smith, can be locked up for the season on a fifth-year option.
Source: The Cowboys have picked up the fifth-year option on Micah Parsons’ rookie contract. He is entering the fourth-year of the deal. The fifth-year would pay him $21.3 million. The Cowboys are hopeful that they will be able to sign Parsons to a long-term deal
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 24, 2024
With Parsons' current trajectory, he can fetch an average of $40 million per season starting in 2025 as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. That leaves $83.6 million for the remainder of the team. It should be enough to retain talent and maybe trade for a player or two.
The biggest question regarding the team is how they ensure there is depth alongside the star talent. Looking to the NFL Draft is a cost-effective method, but also a risky one. Mid-term deals with young players on the rise like Chauncey Golston and Markquese Bell can provide a relatively safe floor.
With how much the NFL fluctuates year-to-year, it's difficult for those in the front office to paint a reliable picture beyond two years, never mind those outside. One thing is for sure. An aging Dak Prescott will still be leading the team, throwing to a 27-year-old CeeDee Lamb, with Cooper Beebe and Tyler Guyton blocking up front.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs has been a star for the team since being drafted in 2020. While he is expected to be with the team for the long term, the future of right tackle, Terrence Steele, is not as clear.
The NFL salary cap looks to quickly increase every year, which is a good thing for roster building. The pieces are there to compete for a Super Bowl, but it's the support that will determine if they win or not.
All salary cap information courtesy of: Spotrac