Despite franchising Anthony Spencer on Monday, the Dallas Cowboys could try to trade the linebacker, according to NFL.com.
Cowboys rumors: Anthony Spencer could be traded despite franchise tag
Dallas might try a “tag and trade” move to create salary cap space.
Ronald Martinez
Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday that Dallas is open to trading Spencer, who now has a $10.6 million price tag for the 2013 season. Dan Hanzus writes that the Cowboys might be able to find some suitors for Spencer:
Spencer would figure to have some value on the open market. He’s coming off the best season of his career (11 sacks, 95 tackles) and teams always will have interest in defenders who know how to get to the quarterback. That said, Spencer is 29 and will want a multiyear commitment with any team that gets him.
The Cowboys franchised Spencer on Monday for the second year in a row. Spencer earned $8.86 million last season under the franchise tag.
As the Cowboys try to squeeze underneath the 2013 salary cap, trading Spencer would benefit the team financially. If the Cowboys trade Spencer, his entire $10.62 million hit would come off the team’s books.
Spencer, 29, is coming off one of his most productive seasons. The sixth-year player out of Purdue recorded 11 sacks and 95 total tackles in 14 games last year. He has 32 1/2 career sacks in 90 games.
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