Dallas Cowboys manage salary cap and roster changes

The Dallas Cowboys are navigating significant roster and financial adjustments ahead of the 2026 season. Following a long-term contract extension for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams—valued at five years and $153.15 million with $101 million guaranteed—the team has cleared approximately $18 million in salary cap space. This liquidity provides the opportunity to sign veteran players to bolster the pass rush, left tackle position, or backfield.

Simultaneously, the team faces potential roster cuts. Linebacker Marist Liufau, a 2024 third-round pick, has been identified as a candidate for release. Despite a productive 2024 season where he recorded 50 tackles, Liufau may struggle to fit into new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme, which emphasizes positional flexibility and complex movement during reps.