The Dallas Cowboys are facing a shift in their offseason strategy as head coach Brian Schottenheimer announced that Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to thumb surgery. This injury complicates the plans for one of the NFL's top offenses, although Smith is expected to return later in the season. T.J.
Bass will step in as a replacement during Smith's recovery.
In a recent radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones discussed the team’s financial flexibility following the restructuring of contracts for several key players, which has created $19 million in salary cap space. Jones indicated that the team is in a position to consider trades, particularly on the defensive side of the roster.
Jones stated, "the best way for me to answer that is... we're in play," regarding potential roster additions. He emphasized that defense would be the primary focus for any trade, despite the offseason already seeing significant changes, including the hiring of a new defensive coordinator and the drafting of two defenders in the first round.
The recent contract adjustments involved defensive tackle Kenny Clark, cornerback DaRon Bland, and tight end Jake Ferguson, but did not alter their current salaries. These changes are primarily a bookkeeping strategy that allows for more financial maneuverability in the future.
While Jones did not confirm if the restructuring was directly linked to potential trades, he acknowledged the timing of the cap space creation. He noted that the Cowboys now have approximately $33 million in cap space for 2026, which could be utilized for acquiring players like Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby, should he become available.
