Bold take: the Cowboys are reshaping their payroll to chase a bigger window of competitive freedom this free agency, and that move carries real risk as well as potential reward. Here’s a refreshed, easy-to-read version of the latest NFL round-up, keeping every key fact intact while explaining it clearly for newcomers.
NFL news snapshot: Cowboys restructure Dak Prescott and Tyler Smith contracts; Packers add a running back
Published: March 4, 2026 at 12:08 PM ET; Updated: 12:24 PM ET
Overview: NFL.com provides a constant stream of league developments. For a daily, detailed rundown, check NFL.com’s transaction hub. Teams are listed alphabetically in this summary. And if you want the full free-agent picture, glance at NFL’s free-agency tracker.
SCHEDULE NEWS
- The Cardinals will face the Panthers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, held in Canton, Ohio, on Thursday, August 6.
- The Panthers will meet the Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game on the same date and venue.
OTHER NEWS
- The Cowboys have restructured the contracts of quarterback Dak Prescott and left guard Tyler Smith, creating roughly $47 million in salary-cap space ahead of free agency next week, per the team announcement. Last week, owner Jerry Jones indicated additional restructures were possible for other players, including wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and defensive linemen Kenny Clark, Quinnen Williams, and Osa Odighizuwa.
SIGNINGS
- Running back Chris Brooks agreed to a two-year, $4.85 million contract with Green Bay. Brooks has accumulated 449 rushing and receiving yards and a touchdown on 87 touches across 32 games since joining the Packers in 2024. He would have been a restricted free agent.
TRADES
- Cornerback Trent McDuffie is being traded to the Rams in exchange for four draft picks, highlighted by the No. 29 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
- The Chiefs are moving McDuffie to the Rams in a deal that includes four draft picks, including the 29th overall pick in 2026, per Rapoport.
OTHER NEWS CONTINUED
- Several teams have started making offers for wide receiver A.J. Brown, but Philadelphia has not yet moved. NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported on Good Morning Football that the Eagles are seeking a deal reminiscent of a Quinnen Williams-type package: a first-round pick plus a second-round sweetener.
Why this matters: The Cowboys’ restructuring signals a deliberate push to widen their flexibility before free agency opens. If those cap savings translate into impactful acquisitions or extensions, Texas-sized ambitions could become a reality in 2026. Yet the risk is real: front-loading future payroll could limit options down the line if the team misses on targets or injuries strike. As for the McDuffie trade, a blockbuster swap for multiple picks reshapes both teams’ ceilings and draft capital—and invites debate about whether giving up a young cornerback for future picks is short-sighted or a savvy rebuild move.
Question to consider: Do you think the Cowboys’ cap maneuver will pay off with meaningful additions, or might it hinder long-term flexibility if new signings underperform? Share your perspective in the comments.
