Dallas Cowboys salary cap 2026: Cowboys now have more than $30 million in cap space

The Dallas Cowboys have significantly increased their salary cap flexibility just before the start of the 2026 NFL season.

Dallas created more than $19 million in additional cap space by restructuring the contracts of defensive tackle Kenny Clark, cornerback DaRon Bland and tight end Jake Ferguson, according to people with knowledge of the decision. The moves give the Cowboys more than $30 million in available salary cap space, giving the front office considerable flexibility as the season begins.

The Cowboys currently have $325.01 million ($325,013,779) in total cap liabilities, according to Over The Cap. That figure includes active roster contracts and non active cap charges. Dallas is also carrying $45.38 million in dead money, while injured reserve accounts for another $5.21 million in cap charges.

Cowboys create more than $19 million in cap space

The Cowboys entered the latest round of restructures with roughly $14.2 million in available cap space, according to NFL Players Association data.By converting portions of Clark, Bland and Ferguson’s base salaries into signing bonuses, Dallas was able to create more than $19 million in immediate cap room without changing what the players will ultimately be paid.

Clark’s contract was already reworked earlier this year when the Cowboys converted his $11 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. Dallas has now converted his $8.8 million base salary as well, creating additional room in 2026 while pushing $1.5 million onto his 2027 cap number.Bland’s $12 million base salary and Ferguson’s $7.25 million base salary were also converted into signing bonuses.

Those restructures increase Bland’s cap numbers by $2.15 million over the remainder of his contract and Ferguson’s by $1.2 million.The accounting maneuver gives Dallas immediate flexibility while spreading some of the financial burden into future seasons.

Cowboys salary cap: How much salary cap space do the Cowboys have?

The Cowboys have more than $30 million in available salary cap space after creating more than $19 million through contract restructures involving Kenny Clark, DaRon Bland and Jake Ferguson.

Dallas had roughly $14.2 million in cap space before the three restructures. The additional flexibility gives the Cowboys considerably more room to handle in season roster moves, injury replacements or potentially pursue a significant trade. Dallas has $270,084,384 committed to its Top 51 contracts, while total cap liabilities stand at $325,013,779.

The Cowboys’ spending remains heavily concentrated on offense. Over The Cap lists $165,005,987 in offensive cap commitments, compared with $105,649,340 on defense and $8,983,333 for special teams.

That means roughly 59% of Dallas’ listed offensive, defensive and special teams commitments are allocated to the offense, reflecting the team’s significant investments in Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

Biggest Cowboys cap hits in 2026:

Dak Prescott remains the Cowboys’ largest individual cap charge in 2026 at $43,508,430. George Pickens follows at $27,298,000, while CeeDee Lamb carries a $19,154,314 cap hit. Pickens’ figure is particularly notable because Dallas used the franchise tag on the wide receiver for the 2026 season.

DaRon Bland has a $17,019,618 cap hit, followed by defensive tackle Kenny Clark at $12.7 million. Jake Ferguson and Tyler Smith account for another $10.4 million and $10.30 million, respectively. Terence Steele is at $8.73 million, while Quinnen Williams is currently listed at $8,552,353 against the 2026 cap.

The Cowboys’ latest contract restructures involving Clark, Bland and Ferguson create more than $19 million in additional cap space, but they also push some of their cap obligations into future seasons. The restructures do not change how much the three players are paid.

Cowboys have $45.38 million in dead money

The Cowboys’ biggest financial complication remains their dead money. Dallas is carrying $45,375,119 in dead money against its 2026 salary cap.

The largest charge belongs to defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa at $16 million. Former Cowboys offensive lineman Zack Martin accounts for another $15,268,822, while former Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs carries a $5,882,352 dead money charge.

Sam Williams has the next largest charge at $2 million, followed by Mazi Smith at $1,663,581 and Donovan Wilson at $1.65 million. Marshawn Kneeland carries $894,598 in dead money, while Solomon Thomas accounts for another $750,000.

The Cowboys also have smaller dead money charges attached to Michael Trigg ($258,333), Marquez Valdes Scantling ($187,500) and Jaydon Blue ($106,767).

In total, Dallas is carrying more than $45.3 million in 2026 dead money, limiting some of the flexibility created by the team’s latest contract restructures.

The Cowboys now enter the 2026 season with more than $30 million in salary cap space after creating more than $19 million through three contract restructures.

The additional flexibility gives Dallas room to address injuries, make roster additions and potentially pursue a significant trade during the season. The Cowboys showed last year that they were willing to use the trade deadline to strengthen the roster when they acquired Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets.

The moves also continue Dallas’ broader strategy of creating immediate cap flexibility by pushing portions of current obligations into future seasons.
For now, the important number has changed. The Cowboys are no longer sitting on roughly $14 million in available space. They have more than $30 million to work with as the 2026 season begins.