DeMarcus Ware was the first Cowboy to restructure his contract to help the team gain cap space for the 2013 season and he’s getting plenty of company.
Nick Eatman of the team’s website reports that tight end Jason Witten and guards Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau have all agreed to restructure their deals as well. In addition, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that cornerback Brandon Carr has also restructured the five-year, $50.1 million deal he signed with the team before last season.
Carr had a fully guaranteed $14.3 million salary coming his way in 2013 so the restructure is far from a surprise. In fact, Hill reports that it was built into the initial deal and Thursday’s move will save the team $10.5 million under the cap.
Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com reports that the Witten and Livings moves will save the team about $4.3 million under the cap. Put all of that together with the $4 million saved by restructuring Ware and the Cowboys have pared almost $19 million (not counting the Bernadeau savings) from the cap in the last couple of days.
That’s not enough for them to get where they need to be, however. Archer reports defensive tackle Jay Ratliff and cornerback Orlando Scandrick are also on the list of moves the Cowboys would like to make. Along with the previously reported request that linebacker Dan Connor take a pay cut if he wants to remain in Dallas, there’s a lot of moving parts in Dallas right now.