Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys reportedly restructure deals for All-Pro linemen to free up money

Published Feb. 20, 2017 4:54 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

The Dallas Cowboys apparently will be heading into the free-agent market armed with a little more money to spend. The Cowboys restructured the contracts of All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith and All-Pro center Travis Frederick, ESPN reported Monday.

The moves will free up around $17.3 million, allowing Dallas to move under a proposed salary cap of $168 million next season, according to the report. Instead of paying Smith and Frederick $24 million in salary for 2017, the Cowboys reportedly will turn around $21 million of that sum into a signing bonus, freeing up cap space.

Frederick, who has made the Pro Bowl three of his first four years in the league, was due to $14.2 million next season while four-time Pro Bowler Smith was set to make $10 million in 2017.

The duo was part of the Cowboys vaunted offensive line that helped rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott lead the league in rushing last season with 1,631 yards.