After the past season Center Travis Frederick ended his career in Dallas. A big loss in sports, but financially the cowboys are somewhat relieved. The chance for Dak Prescott?

After seven years with the Dallas Cowboys, Center Travis Frederick ended his career after last season.

The departure of the long-time protector of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott will be a major sporting challenge for the Cowboys.

Nevertheless, it could be an advantage for the possible extension of Dak Prescott’s contract.

More Cap Space available
In 2016, Frederick signed a contract extension for six years and was expected to earn a total of 56.4 million US dollars. In the coming season, he would have charged a salary of 11.04 million US dollars to the cap.

However, since the cowboys only put him on the retirement list after the first of June, they can divide the salary they would have paid him in the coming season between the next two. If the cowboys had put him directly on the list, the full contract for 2020 would be on the books.

The split means that the cowboys have over six million dollars more at their disposal.

Travis Frederick announced in March he would retire. For salary cap reasons, Cowboys waited until after June 1 to process the transaction. Retirement could have created $11.04M in dead money vs. 2020 cap. Instead, he’ll count $4.975M this year and $6.065M in 2021.

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) June 4, 2020

Impact on Prescott
Since the cowboys have not yet signed any of their drafted rookies this off-season, the additional cap space will certainly help them. Even possible veterans in the league who are still available could join the promising team from Texas.

With regard to Prescott, Dallas could only benefit from the additional cap space in the coming season, as the franchise day already counts 31.5 million US dollars against the cap. Should the Cowboys and Prescott be able to agree on a new contract, the additional millions released will certainly play a role in the future.

The Cowboys already have the sportive replacement for Frederick in their ranks, the current backup center Joe Looney will take over the role. Already in 2018, when Frederick was out of action for a long time due to illness, Looney gave the replacement.