The Dallas Morning News’ mailbags touched on some Cowboys news on Sunday night. Here are some of the highlights …
- Tim Cowlishaw does not envision a Dez Bryant extension being completed this offseason, even with the nearly $13MM the Cowboys freed up in cap space from Tony Romo‘s restructuring. The Cowboys reportedly intend to use it on the draft. Bryant has a $12.8MM cap figure this season and could be re-franchised next offseason if the sides can’t come to a agreement on a long-term contract.
- The Cowboys don’t have plans of picking up Morris Claiborne‘s fifth-year option, reports staff writer Brandon George, giving 2015 a make-or-break aura for the injury-plagued cornerback. The former first-rounder out of LSU who missed most of last year with a torn patellar tendon, hasn’t graded positively on Pro Football Focus’ metrics in three seasons. Claiborne, who hasn’t started more than seven games in a season since his rookie year of 2012, will make just more than $5MM this season — sixth on the team.
- Brandon Carr could be a post-June 1 cut if he doesn’t take a pay reduction, reports George. The Cowboys won’t offer the high-priced corner an extension to lower his $12.7MM cap number (third-most on the team), either. George, however, doesn’t think Carr will have a hard-line stance on this matter.
- The Adrian Peterson-to-Dallas connection remains a discussed topic. Jon Machota doesn’t see a trade occurring after the draft, narrowing the Cowboys’ window to land the player they’ve long coveted. The second round is the ideal place for the Cowboys to land DeMarco Murray‘s long-term successor, opines Machota.