The start of the 2025 NFL free agency period is just over a week away, leaving Dallas Cowboys fans wondering how owner/general manager Jerry Jones will navigate the offseason's next stage.
Any free agency plans the Cowboys have will depend on their salary cap situation. Although the NFL salary cap will sit at a record-breaking $279.2 million for the 2025 campaign, America's Team only has about $3.8 million to play with in the open market, according to OverTheCap.
Without much cap space to spare, several Cowboys players have been floated around as potential cap casualties this offseason. One of those players, however, is likely to remain in Dallas following the team's latest rumors.
Cowboys Rumors: Dallas Not Expected to Cut LB Damone Clark
Veteran linebacker Damone Clark is one player who's emerged as a potential cap casualty this offseason. The former 2022 fifth-rounder is slated to carry a cap hit of just over $3.2 million next season, per Spotrac, and the Cowboys almost clear that entire number off the books with a release.
Having said that, The Athletic's Jon Machota is under the impression that the former LSU Tiger will be back in Dallas for the 2025 season.
"It sounds like the free-agent market at (linebacker) is a little pricier than they were hoping," Machota wrote. "So, don’t look for Dallas to be parting ways with Clark."
My biggest Dallas Cowboys takeaways from NFL combine week in Indianapolis https://t.co/u4oeU93GoY
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) March 3, 2025
Cowboys fans are more than familiar with the franchise's budget-friendly offseason spending habits. Jones tries his best not to throw out money toward outside talent, meaning there's a good chance Dallas will roll with Clark, Marist Liufau, and DeMarvion Overshown as their top linebackers.
Clark is coming off a disappointing performance in 2024. The Baton Rouge, LA native went from starting in all 17 of his 2023 performances to just two starts in 14 outings last season, resulting in a career-low 16 solo tackles along with one broken-up pass and half a sack.
Although his 68.2 defense grade on Pro Football Focus was solid, Clark's 69.0 tackling grade was a new personal low. In other words, his performance left much to be desired, and it's up to him to prove he can be a difference-maker now that it looks like the Cowboys won't release him.
Heading toward free agency following the 2025 season, Clark must have a strong performance — whether on special teams or defense — to prove that he deserves another NFL contract. Whether that's with the Cowboys or another franchise remains to be seen.