Dallas Cowboys Leave Doug Free Alone

Dec 23, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) puts his hand on the back of tackle Doug Free (68) during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium. The Saints beat the Cowboys 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Doug Free made a few stellar plays at his time at left tackle, and in typical Jerry Jones fashion, was promptly rewarded with a large contract. The Dallas Cowboys, now, most likely regret that contract. They had to renegotiate deals just to get under the salary cap, and the margin they’re under the cap has forced them to stay virtually silent in free agency.

So many thought that the underachieving tackle, who was moved back to the right side, would be a cap-casualty or at least a candidate to restructure his deal.

After all, Brandon Carr said the Cowboys were willing to restructure their deals to help the Cowboys add pieces. Veterans and leaders Jason Witten, DeMarcus Ware, and Brandon Carr all restructured their deals.

But apparently Doug Free won’t, and apparently he hasn’t been asked to.

Free is set to count $10.02 million against the 2013 cap. If the Cowboys released him as a June 1 cut, that move free up $7 million to play with in free agency. He struggled so much that at one point he was benched for Jeremy Parnell. He also led the Cowboys in penalties with 15 total, seven holds eight false starts.

If he remains on the roster he could be moved inside to guard. Ironically the position the Cowboys focused on in last years free agency by signing Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau. The Cowboys are also rumored to be meeting with Alabama guard Chance Warmack.