In an annual rite that is as discussed and as worried-about and as inevitable as potty training infants, the Cowboys are under the salary cap before the start of the league year.
Amazingly, it happened again.
Via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the final touches came Friday with the release of center Phil Costa and a restructuring for guard Mackenzy Bernadeau.
Of course, every team in the league has to be under the cap for the start of the league year, so it’s not as if the Cowboys have actually achieved anything. But it’s the Cowboys, so their ability to do it earns them notice beyond the normal participation certificate.
The Cowboys created most of the cap room over the course of the week, by re-doing the deals of linebacker Sean Lee, cornerback Orlando Scandrick and quarterback Tony Romo, whose contract has undergone more restructures than Joan Rivers’ face.
They can create more room to actually make moves by doing something with defensive end DeMarcus Ware’s contract, or by cutting wide receiver Miles Austin.
Of course, all those moves also make it more difficult for them to get under the cap again next year, since all the restructures just add to future liabilities.
But we’ll talk about that next year. We always do.