The Dallas Cowboys have significant ways to go before they can claim to be scot-free when it comes to being under the 2026 salary cap.
The Cowboys are ranked 30th in the league in terms of available cap space, which currently amounts to them being a projected $31.5 million over the limit for this upcoming season.
So the team will have to either make roster cuts or restructure current deals – and most likely do a combination of both – over the course of the coming weeks.
And as of February 20 the work has already started, as the Cowboys have decided to release linebacker Logan Wilson, as reported by Patrick Walker.
“Logan Wilson was acquired at the trade deadline by the Cowboys, but things never panned out — including the infamous “zero snaps” confusion under Eberflus.” Walker posted on X, also noting that “his release frees up $6.5 million toward the 2026 cap, and another $7.2 million in 2027 ($13.7 million total).”
Cowboys Release Logan Wilson Ahead of Free Agency
Wilson was long considered a success story from what was considered one of the team’s best drafts in years, which also saw them select franchise quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Tee Higgins in the first two rounds, before picking up Wilson in the third.
The Wyoming alum had three excellent years in the Midwest before signing a four year $36 million extension with the franchise back in August 2023.
Injuries impeded his 2024 season, whilst declining performances saw him be relegated to having a smaller role on defense in 2025, which ultimately lead to him presenting the Bengals with a trade request. And the Bengals obliged, sending him to Dallas in exchange for a seventh round pick at the trade deadline.
Since moving to Dallas, Wilson has not been anything near the player they would have wanted him to be. He managed a mediocre 52.6 grade from Pro Football Focus in a year that was best summed up by a late-season game against the Washington Commanders that saw him play zero defensive snaps.
His release was a predictable one; it saves Dallas just over 20% of the amount they need to get under the salary cap and leaves them in more-or-less the same position at linebacker as they were before.
What Does the Linebacking Unit Look Like in Dallas?
The team will have DeMarvion Overshown back to start the year – barring further injury – and the Cowboys will be hoping he is able to build on his encouraging comeback from his horrendous knee injury in December 2024 late last season to become the main man at inside linebacker at the heart of Dallas’ defense.
The Cowboys made other moves at the position last offseason, signing Jack Sanborn as a free agent from the Chicago Bears and trading for Kenneth Murray (and a seventh round pick) in exchange for a sixth rounder.
Neither of those two worked out particularly well, and both are set to test the open market next month. The Cowboys will also be expected to give further opportunities to 2025 fifth round draft pick Shemar James, who played in 14 games with 6 starts last season, logging 91 tackles and 1.5 sacks in his rookie campaign.
But, given the lack of depth beyond Overshown, James and former third round pick, Marist Liufau – who has struggled to imprint his own role on the defense – it is more likely than not that Dallas will address the position somewhat aggressively in free agency and the draft.
Cowboys Cut 7th Year Linebacker in $6.5 Million Cap Saving Move