The Dallas Cowboys are aware they must focus on defense in the upcoming offseason. Before they can look to the draft or the free agent pool for help, they must address the contract situation for long-time defensive end, DeMarcus Ware. The veteran is set to become a free agent and while he is hoping to return to Dallas, he is not looking for a pay cut. If Ware is out, who is in?
The Cowboys are projected to be $25 million above the NFL's salary cap. That does not help their offseason one bit. The team is going to be forced to cut some familiar faces in order to make improvements after yet another December collapse and disappointing finish to the year. The first will likely be wide receiver Miles Austin and the second could be Ware.
The two veteran players are set to be a large hit to the salary cap. Combined they have a cap number of $24 million. Cutting both players prior to the June 1 deadline would save around $13 million a season and be a huge relief for Dallas. Team executive vice president Stephen Jones noted that a decision has not been made over who would be returning and who would be leaving. He noted that the parties will negotiate some numbers and go from there.
"We're still gathering all of our information and getting the lay of the land," Jones said, according to The Dallas Morning News. "Obviously, DeMarcus had a hell of a career, but when we're in the cap situation that we're in and obviously counting as much as he is obviously you have to look at it along with several others."
Head coach Jason Garrett still has plenty of faith that Ware can still be dominate in the league despite coming off a career-worst season riddle by injuries. While he not confirming what Dallas' decision will be regarding the veteran, he is giving him a ringing endorsement for the rest of the league.
So if Ware is out as a cap casualty, who could replace him. According to FootballNation.com, Justin Tuck could be an option. The New York Giants defensive end is planning on testing free agency no matter what this offseason. He has been a key member of the Giants' defensive unit for years and his agent claims he is the best available player on the market.
The issue with Tuck is that he will be expensive. The veteran will be targeting a multi-year deal worth around $5-6 million per season. The Cowboys simply cannot afford that no matter what Tuck would bring to the team.