FRISCO, Texas — As expected, the NFL sustained revenue losses in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the NFL has announced the 2021 salary cap has decreased. The cap was $198.2 million the previous year and will be reduced to $182.5 in 2021.
On Wednesday, the Cowboys were proactive in freeing up cap room by restructuring several contracts: Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and La’el Collins. The combination of changes will create around $17 million in cap space according to multiple reports and allow the club to make serious free agent acquisitions if they choose. It was assumed contracts would have to be restructured and the Cowboys started with the offensive line.
Dallas dealt with an unprecedented number of injuries to the offensive line in 2020 resulting in a patchwork group protecting the quarterback but the unit is back to full health for the upcoming season.
The Cowboys locked up Dak Prescott to a four-year, $160 million deal and the club will actually save in 2021. His new contract will count $22.2 million against the cap in year one, a downgrade from the nearly $38 million that would have counted against the cap had he played out the 2021 year on the franchise tag. Dallas will save $15.5 million against the cap this season which allows the team some flexibility to allocate that money elsewhere to boost the current roster.
