The Dallas Cowboys released linebacker Dan Connor on Monday, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. The move came just about 24 hours prior to the start of free agency and the new league year, which begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 12.
Cowboys rumors: Dan Connor released by Dallas, according to report
Dan Connor was released by the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, as the team needed to save money against the 2013 salary cap.
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Connor was due to make $3 million in 2013, none of it being guaranteed. The Cowboys are in a position where they need to get under the 2013 salary cap, as they were approximately $7 million over the 2013 numbers prior to this move. Cutting Connor will likely put them at around $3.7 million over the cap, meaning they still have some deals to get done before the new league year begins. His total cap hit for 2013 was slated to be $4.3 million.
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It was widely reported that the Cowboys wanted Connor to restructure his contract and take a pay cut in late February. It’s unclear if Connor was totally unwilling or if the Cowboys were unsatisfied with the amount of savings they were able to earn with a possible restructured deals.
Connor was expected to be a big contributor to the Cowboys in 2013 had he remained with the team, due to his experience with the 4-3 defense, which the Cowboys are switching to under their new defensive coaching staff. Still, Connor is now a free agent and can sign with any team immediately, but he’s not likely to be heavily pursued.
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