Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones speaks to reporters after lineman Zach Martin announced his retirement during an NFL football press conference at the team’s headquarter in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, March 5, 2025. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys created nearly $57 million in salary cap space by restructuring the contracts of star quarterback Dak Prescott and his top receiver, CeeDee Lamb.

It remains to be seen what the wiggle room will mean next week in free agency, where the Cowboys have been conservative at best in recent years.

Coming off a 7-10 record that ended a three-year run of 12-win playoff seasons, and with Brian Schottenheimer replacing Mike McCarthy as coach, Dallas might have a bit more of an itch to fill some holes.

Emphasis on “might.”

“I don’t think ‘aggressive’ is the right word,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Wednesday after a retirement ceremony for seven-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin. “I wouldn’t call us really void in any area, void if you include what we’re going to do in the draft. I’m not looking at free agency as a place to fill a void.”

The restructuring of Prescott’s $240 million, four-year contract – the first in league history with an average annual value of $60 million – carved out almost $37 million in cap space.

That move Wednesday came a day after the Cowboys created $20 million in cap space with a restructure of Lamb’s $136 million, four-year deal. Both contracts were signed last year

Next up for a big payday is star edge rusher Micah Parsons, and preliminary talks have begun.

Parsons is entering the fifth and final season of his rookie contract and could end up as the league’s highest-paid defensive player. Las Vegas edge rusher Maxx Crosby just took over that title with a contract that averages $35.5 million annually.

Lamb also was entering the final season of his rookie contract a year ago and held out the entire offseason and most of the preseason awaiting a new deal. Parsons hasn’t indicated he plans to follow suit.

“The goal was to do CeeDee early,” executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said. “That’s always the goal, to get it done when you can get it.”

The Cowboys re-signed defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, giving the anchor of their interior defensive front an $80 million, four-year contract.

Dallas is bringing back special teams ace C.J. Goodwin on a one-year deal along with all three of the club’s exclusive rights free agents – Brock Hoffman, the likely replacement for Martin at right guard; safety Juanyeh Thomas; and defensive end Tyrus Wheat.