IRVING, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys have asked right tackle Doug Free to take a pay cut. But since making that request, the team’s front office hasn’t heard back from Free or his agent.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Friday night that Free’s status with the club is “to be determined.”
After starting every game over the last three seasons, there’s a chance that the 29-year-old could be playing for a different team during the 2013 season.
“I have no idea,” Jones said. “We want him. We’d love to have him here. I think he’d love to be here. The question is it’s got to work for him and it’s got to work for us. I have all the respect in the world for Doug. He’s a guy that works his [butt] off. I think he wants to play better than he played. I think he’d be the first to tell you that. I think he played better toward the end [of the season].”
Jones said the Cowboys aren’t concerned at the present time but added that “it’s got to be resolved at some point.” The Cowboys didn’t use one of their first four draft choices on a tackle so it’s likely that if Free isn’t willing to restructure, the franchise could sign a free agent like Eric Winston or Tyson Clabo.
“We’ve got a little bit of money to figure out what to do with Free,” Jones said, “and you don’t have to worry about us in free agency.”
Free, who had a disappointing 2012 season, leading the team in penalties with eight false starts and seven offensive holdings, is among the highest-paid tackles in the league. He’s due $7 million in 2013 and $8 million in each of the next three seasons.
Although it seems unlikely, if Free remains in Dallas, he could be moved to one of the guard positions.
“It’s not totally out of the question,” Jones said. “It’s been talked about.”
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