Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Potential cuts for Cowboys include former first-rounder

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated 2/8/23

Even with $16 million added to next year’s salary cap, the Dallas Cowboys are already $7,055,002 over the 2023 number. So much for Jerry Jones’ long-term approach. As a result, these players could find themselves with other teams in the near future.

Ezekiel Elliott, RB

At one point, Elliott looked to be the next Emmitt Smith. The former first-round pick's 8,262 rushing yards rank third in Dallas history, but he set career lows with 876 yards rushing and 3.8 yards per carry in 2022. Tony Pollard doesn’t have the touchdown numbers, but he’s clearly the better player. With Pollard an impending free agent, something must give.

Elliott is under contract through 2026, but he has no guaranteed money left on his deal. The team can save almost $11 million if it releases him after June 1. The Cowboys have said they want to keep both players, but without a substantial pay cut, Elliott won’t be back.

Ezekiel Elliott signed a six-year contract worth $90 million and yet they wont give him the ball on 4th and inches. pic.twitter.com/ftICXyEhs5
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) November 26, 2020

Jourdan Lewis, CB

Lewis suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury against the Lions in Week 7. He is signed through 2023, but he only carries a $1,166,668 million dead cap hit with no guaranteed money left on his contract. The team can save most of his $5 million salary if it releases him.

Lewis struggled before his injury. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed receptions on 82.8% of targets, the worst number of his career. The Cowboys have four other cornerbacks under contract for next season, so moving on from Lewis seems inevitable.

Brett Maher, Kicker

If you thought Maher should’ve been cut already, you’re not alone. The four-year veteran had a solid regular season, scoring 137 points and booting nine field goals of 50 yards or more, but he missed four extra points in the wild card win against Tampa Bay.

He followed that up with a blocked extra point in the divisional round before finally hitting two field goals in a loss to San Francisco. Maher is expendable. He’s scheduled to make $965,000 next year but has no dead money on his contract. The Cowboys can afford his salary, but they can't bring him back into the locker room.

More must-reads: