The Dallas Cowboys have opened up some serious cap space by cutting veteran linebacker/defensive end DeMarcus Ware, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
Cowboys release DeMarcus Ware
The Cowboys have let go of their top pass rusher with the release of DeMarcus Ware. The move opens up $7.4 million in cap space for Dallas.
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Career
Ware was drafted with the 11th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Troy University and made an immediate impact for the Cowboys in his rookie season. He made 58 total tackles, and tied with Greg Ellis for the team lead in sacks (eight), the first time in team history a rookie achieved that feat.
Things only got better for Ware in 2006, as he collected 11.5 sacks, breaking a team record for linebackers and earning the first of seven straight Pro Bowl appearances. A year later he tied an NFL record after recording a sack in 10 straight games.
Ware was rewarded with a new contract at the beginning of the 2009 season and continued to be of the NFL’s best linebackers. In 2013 he broke the Cowboys team sack record, passing Harvey Martin’s 30-year-old mark in week three with his 115th career sack, and ended the season with 117.
Ware turns 32 this summer.
Contract, Salary Cap and Cap Savings
Ware was entering the sixth of a six-year contract worth $78 million that he signed in 2009. The team decided against restructuring Ware’s deal yet again and, after he said he would not take a pay cut, the decision was made to cut ties with him.
According to OverTheCap.com, the move clears up over $7.4 million in cap space for the Cowboys, bringing their cap room to $8.5 million.
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