FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys created a little more than $19 million in salary cap space by restructuring the contracts of three players, sources told ESPN.
Veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark, cornerback DaRon Bland and tight end Jake Ferguson had their deals reworked to give the Cowboys flexibility as the 2026 season begins or allow the club to carry over any unused space to 2027.
According to the NFL Players Association website, the Cowboys had roughly $14.2 million of cap space before the restructured contracts.
If the Cowboys want to make a significant trade before the deadline later this season, theoretically they would have the room to do so. Last year, the Cowboys added Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets with a trade deadline deal.
The Cowboys had already converted Clark's $11 million roster bonus into a signing bonus in March and now have done the same with his $8.8 million base salary. The move adds $1.5 million to his 2027 cap number.
Bland's $12 million base salary and Ferguson's $7.25 million base salary were turned into signing bonuses as well. Both players signed multiyear extensions last year. Bland's cap number will increase by $2.15 million for the remainder of his deal, while Ferguson's will increase by $1.2 million.
The adjustments are accounting tools and do not change how much the players are paid weekly.
Since March, the Cowboys have restructured the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and guard Tyler Smith, while also revising the contracts of right tackle Terence Steele and safety Malik Hooker to create cap room.
