On the same day the Dallas Cowboys held a press conference to discuss their new record-breaking contract with quarterback Dak Prescott, they reportedly made moves to potentially strengthen the team around him.
A trio of Prescott’s most important protectors — offensive linemen Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and La’el Collins — have agreed to restructure their current deals to allow the Cowboys approximately $17 million in salary-cap relief, a source told ESPN Wednesday.
The Cowboys, especially on the heels over Prescott’s four-year, $160 million agreement he officially signed earlier in the day, were projected to be less than a million dollars under the salary cap entering the day, per Over The Cap.
The team will certainly be looking to create more cap room with the start of free agency beginning in exactly one week, with the approved negotiating period kicking off next Monday.
The duo of Smith and Martin, both 30, have anchored the Dallas offensive line for most of the past decade — combining for 13 Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pro berths. Collins has been a regular starter as well since 2015 when available. He played just three games in 2016 after tearing a ligament in his toe, and missed all of last season because of a hip ailment.
Martin and Collins are currently signed through the 2024 season, while Smith is signed through 2023.
