kk.Legendary Troy Aikman Warns Cowboys Owner/GM Jerry Jones After Disappointing 2025 Season: Moving Three Underperformers Could Free Over $25 Million in Cap Space
After reflecting on the Dallas Cowboys’ underwhelming 2025 campaign, Troy Aikman didn’t dwell on injuries, coaching decisions, or bad breaks. Instead, the Hall of Famer focused on what the season revealed about roster construction — and why decisive action is now required if the Cowboys want to rebuild and contend for a Super Bowl.
According to league sources familiar with Aikman’s thinking, the Cowboys legend delivered a clear message to owner and general manager Jerry Jones: the gap between mediocrity and success is no longer just about talent acquisition — it’s financial discipline and accountability. Aikman believes Dallas can reclaim control of its future by cutting ties with three players who failed to deliver consistent value throughout a 7-9-1 season that ended with playoff elimination in December.
“If you want to turn this around and build a winner, you have to be willing to move on from players who didn’t perform up to expectations, even if the decision isn’t comfortable.”
The first name tied to that assessment is DeMarcus Lawrence. As a veteran defensive end and longtime anchor of the pass rush, Lawrence’s production dipped in 2025, with fewer sacks and pressures amid injuries and an aging profile. His 2026 cap hit stands at around $23.5 million, with a dead cap of about $13 million if released post-June 1. Moving on could save Dallas roughly $10.5 million, and cap analysts have pegged him as a prime candidate for a cut or trade to free up resources for younger edge rushers.
The second case is more complex. Brandin Cooks, acquired to provide speed and experience at wide receiver, carries a sizable financial footprint after underwhelming output in 2025. His 2026 cap hit is approximately $13 million, with a dead cap of around $3 million if released. While a straight cut is feasible, Aikman is believed to view Cooks as a potential trade or release candidate — especially as the Cowboys need to redirect funds toward bolstering the receiving corps around CeeDee Lamb rather than veteran spending that didn’t yield results. This move could net about $10 million in savings.
The third and most straightforward move involves Terence Steele. The offensive tackle’s cap hit climbs to $14 million in 2026, yet his dead cap would sit at just $4-6 million if released post-June 1, depending on timing. That creates $8-10 million in immediate savings — an attractive option for a team looking to get younger and more reliable along the offensive line while maintaining flexibility to add difference-makers elsewhere, especially after Steele’s inconsistent pass protection contributed to late-season struggles.
Combined, those three decisions could open over $25-30 million in cap space — money that could be reinvested in protecting Dak Prescott through restructures (potentially creating another $31 million), expanding the offense, or reinforcing the defense around cornerstone players like Micah Parsons. To Aikman, this isn’t about blame; it’s about alignment.
The 2025 season, in his view, didn’t expose a lack of star power. It exposed the cost of inefficiency with overpaid or underperforming veterans. And in the NFL, as Aikman understands better than most, rebuilds don’t happen without hard decisions before the window closes entirely.
