Miles Austin Could Become Dallas Cowboys Cap Casualty
By Josh Sanchez
An interesting note surfaced on Saturday morning regarding the future of wide receiver Miles Austin in Dallas. With free agency looming and the Cowboys needing to get under the salary cap, ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Austin could be one of the bigger name cap casualties heading into free agency.
Most interesting potential salary-cap casualty in coming days: Cowboys WR Miles Austin. Dallas needs cap space and Austin would provide it.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 23, 2013
Austin was once a real threat for the Cowboys, but with his recent injuries, loss of explosion and the emergence of Dez Bryant, the team could find it easy to cut ties with the veteran receiver.
Not only has Austin declined as a player, but the decision to release Austin would save the team around $5 million in cap space.
Austin is signed through the 2016 season and his salary is set to make a major leap. In 2013, he is set to make $6.732 million, then the salary takes a dip in 2014 to $5.5 million. In 2015, the salary jumps again to $6.888 million, before an incredible $11.38 million in 2016.
If Dallas wants to save money, Austin looks like the right guy to cut.
Expect a lot of teams to line up for the talented No. 2 and slot wide receiver if he hits the free agent market.