Cowboys Restructure Kenny Clark's Contract

Move creates $8.8 million in additional cap space ahead of free agency.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Dallas Cowboys have restructured the contract of defensive tackle Kenny Clark, converting his upcoming $11 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. This allows the team to spread the cap hit over future years, creating an additional $8.8 million in cap space as they head into free agency.

Why it matters

The Cowboys are looking to bolster their defense this offseason, with owner Jerry Jones vowing to "bust the budget" to improve the unit. The extra cap space from the Clark restructure will give the team more flexibility to sign free agents and make trades, as they've already agreed to sign safety Jalen Thompson and acquire defensive lineman Rashan Gary.

The details

By converting Clark's roster bonus into a signing bonus, the Cowboys were able to prorate the cap hit over the remaining years of his contract. This frees up $8.8 million in cap space that the team can use to sign new players or retain their own free agents.

  • The contract restructure was completed ahead of the start of the new league year on March 15, 2026.

The players

Kenny Clark

A defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys, entering his second season with the team after being acquired in a trade last year.

Jerry Jones

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys, who has vowed to "bust the budget" to improve the team's defense this offseason.

Jalen Thompson

A safety who the Cowboys have agreed to sign in free agency.

Rashan Gary

A defensive lineman who the Cowboys have traded for this week.

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What they’re saying

“The Cowboys have created some more cap space ahead of Wednesday's start to the new league year.”

— Josh Alper, Author (nbcsports.com)

What’s next

The Cowboys will look to use the additional cap space created by the Kenny Clark restructure to sign free agents and make trades to improve their defense ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Cowboys' decision to restructure Kenny Clark's contract demonstrates their commitment to upgrading their defense this offseason, as they look to build on their success from the previous year and make a deep playoff run.