The Dallas Cowboys are creating more salary-cap space.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Friday that the Cowboys are signing DeMarcus Lawrence to a one-year voidable extension for salary-cap purposes, converting $15 million of his 2020 base salary to a signing bonus.
The move clears $12 million in salary-cap space this year. Already under contract through 2023, the voidable year in 2024 for accounting purposes spreads the $15 million over an additional year to lessen the burden in the short-term.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport added that Dallas plans to roll the extra cap space created into next season. (Read: They're going to have to pay Dak Prescott a lot of money in 2021 and with the salary cap expected to dip next year wanted to ensure they'd have space.)
According to Over The Cap, the Cowboys had $17 million in cap space before freeing up the additional $12 million.
For Lawrence, turning his base salary into a signing bonus puts money in his pocket and ensures he gets paid this season even if games get canceled due to COVID-19.
