The Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of their third-straight double-digit win campaign. It’s the first time since the 1994 through 1996 seasons they’ve been able to claim that feat. Being that this is the most consistent the franchise has been since their Super Bowl days, it stands to reason the front office will look to do what it can to keep the roster in tact.
Of course, if the club doesn’t advance past the divisional round, the perception changes in a heartbeat. But if Dallas does make it to the championship rounds, they’ll want to do as much as they can to run it back. That includes looking at their 19 pending free agents.
The owners Winter meetings are taking place in Dallas this week, and among the myriad of topics discussed annually at this time of the year is the salary cap for next year. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer is reporting that no announcement will be made, but several tuned-in entities are predicting the 2024 number to come in between $240 million and $245 million.
That would be a jump of at least $15 million over the 2023 cap, but Dallas has concerns even with that total. Right now, Dallas is projected to be around $16 million over the median of those two numbers based on the salaries already on the roster.
There are restructure triggers galore in their current deals and extensions which could also reduce some of the larger cap hits like Dak Prescott’s $59.5 million or Zack Martin’s $28.5 million. And it will be needed to create space to bring in outside help or re-sign these names.
Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) runs the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles in the game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) fumbles the ball after being tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) on the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) runs the ball in the first quarter against Washington Commanders linebacker Khaleke Hudson (47) at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) sacks New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) in the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz (63) reacts after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) avoids the sack by Dallas Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse (1) during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) participates in drills at the NFL football team’s practice facility in Oxnard, Calif. Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Oct 1, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (56) dives at New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) during the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (95) smiles as he walks off the field before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
DT Neville Galliimore
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 12: Neville Gallimore #96 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after sacking Tommy DeVito #15 of the New York Giants during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back C.J. Goodwin (29) warms up before playing against the New York Giants in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Jul 27, 2023; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys long snapper Trent Sieg (43) during training camp at Marriott Residence Inn-River Ridge Playing Fields. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Juanyeh Thomas (30) blocks a field goal attempt by New York Giants place kicker Graham Gano (9) as cornerback Noah Igbinoghene (19) recovers the block during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2022; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Sean McKeon (84) makes a catch during training camp at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2021; Landover, Maryland, USA; New York Giants center Billy Price (69) waits to snap the ball against the Washington Football Team during the first half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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