Dallas Cowboys to Rework Dez Bryant’s Contract

The Dallas Cowboys are trying to create some extra cap room to pursue players once the free agency period begins by restructuring the deal of wide receiver Dez Bryant, among other players.

It has been reported the Cowboys had about $12.5 million of salary-cap room, but heading into this week that changed when Dallas gave OLB Anthony Spencer an $8.8 million franchise tag.

The club is expected to rework the language of Bryant’s deal. He is scheduled to receive a $1.435 million roster bonus. Now Bryant will receive a $1.435 signing bonus instead. Bryant will still be paid the same amount; it will just be structured differently.

Now the signing bonus will be spread out over these next three years of the contract. Only one-third of that – about $480,000 will hit this year’s cap, saving the Cowboys about $957,000 on the salary cap this year.

Other players expected to have their contracts restructured include tackle Doug Free, cornerback Orlando Scandrick, tight-end Jason Witten and possibly even quarterback Tony Romo and outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware.