For those hoping the Dallas Cowboys were going to improve their right tackle situation this offseason, this news will come as a blow. Dallas has restructured the contract of embattled right tackle Terrence Steele, reducing his 2026 cap hit but effectively locking him in as an integral piece to their offensive line for the next two seasons.
Steele has been the team’s starter at the position since a stunning ascent as a rookie UDFA in 2020, and has started all 17 games in each of the previous three seasons. He’s a top run blocker, a key aspect of the offense’s attack under Brian Schottenheimer and OC Klayton Adams, but he leaves a lot to be desired as a pass protector.
The Cowboys will save around $10.2 million by reducing Steele’s salary to the vet minimum, then spreading out the restructure bonus across up to five years, if they’ve added void years.
The Cowboys signed Steele to an extension early in his career, giving him a five-year, $82.5 million extension in 2023. The guaranteed money ran out with the 2025 season, leading many to ponder whether the Cowboys would go in a different direction as they could have seen up to $14 million in cap savings by making him a post-June 1 release.
Instead, the Cowboys have lowered his cap hit by restructuring his deal and guaranteeing money across the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys restructure controversial OL to save cap space before FA
Reporting by K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire / Cowboys Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
