FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys created a little more than $19 million in salary cap space by restructuring the contracts of defensive tackle Kenny Clark, cornerback DaRon Bland, and tight end Jake Ferguson, ESPN’s Todd Archer reported Thursday night, citing sources.
Clark’s $8.8 million base salary, Bland’s $12 million base salary, and Ferguson’s $7.25 million base salary were each converted into signing bonuses. Clark’s 2027 cap number rises by $1.5 million. Bland’s cap number goes up by $2.15 million for the remainder of his deal, and Ferguson’s goes up by $1.2 million. None of the three sees any change in what he is paid on a weekly basis.
According to the NFL Players Association website, the Cowboys were carrying roughly $14.2 million in cap space before the three contracts were reworked. The room can be spent during the 2026 season or carried over into 2027.
Updated Player Contract Terms
Back in March, the Cowboys had already converted Clark’s $11 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. Clark came to Dallas from the Green Bay Packers in the August 2025 trade that sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay, and he started all 17 games in his first season with the Cowboys, finishing with 3.0 sacks.
Bland signed a four-year, $92 million extension in August 2025, just before the season opener in Philadelphia. The deal guarantees $50 million, includes a $22 million signing bonus, and runs through 2029. Last season, he made 12 starts and had one interception.
Ferguson signed a four-year, $52 million extension in July 2025, including $30 million guaranteed. He is coming off a season with 82 receptions for 600 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned a second Pro Bowl selection.
Dallas Cowboys Cap Moves Since March
This is not the first round of contract work Dallas has done this year. Prescott, Lamb and Tyler Smith have all had their deals restructured since March. The Cowboys also made changes to the contracts of right tackle Terence Steele and safety Malik Hooker for additional cap room.
Smith signed a four-year, $96 million extension in September 2025. By then, Dallas had already exercised his fifth-year option for the 2026 season.
Jerry Jones addressed the defensive tackle payroll in February, when Quinnen Williams, Clark, and Osa Odighizuwa were set to count close to $64 million against the 2026 cap.
“We’ll make the adjustments that you’d think we’d make and spread that out,” Jones said.
The Cowboys traded Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers on March 11 in exchange for the No. 92 pick in the 2026 draft. Williams had joined the Cowboys from the New York Jets at last season’s trade deadline. He started seven games after the trade and totaled 1.5 sacks and one interception.
This year’s leaguewide cap is $301.2 million per club.
The Cowboys’ first game comes Sept. 13 at the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey. NBC will carry the 7:20 p.m. CT kickoff from MetLife Stadium.
