3 Players the Cowboys Won't Be Able to Keep Once Dak Prescott Signs His Huge Contract Extension

Dallas Cowboys S Xavier Woods
Dallas Cowboys S Xavier Woods / Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Dallas Cowboys face arguably the most difficult offseason in the history of the franchise as questions continue to surround stars Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper. Prescott, in particular, is expected to sign a mammoth contract extension once the two sides can finally come to an agreement.

There will be ripple effects when that happens, for next year and beyond. Here are three players the Cowboys won't be able to keep after the 2020 season assuming Dak puts pen to paper on a new deal.

3. Tyrone Crawford

Dallas Cowboys DL Tyrone Crawford
Dallas Cowboys DL Tyrone Crawford / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Crawford will hit free agency after this season and it's safe to say he probably won't be returning to Dallas. He's already making $9.1 million in 2020 and it's likely the Cowboys will look to the draft to find his replacement rather than spending a few million to keep a guy who was limited to four games in 2019 due to injury. He might've been back if the team didn't have other financial concerns, but Dak's contract will seal Crawford's fate.

2. Chidobe Awuzie

Dallas Cowboys CB Chidobe Awuzie
Dallas Cowboys CB Chidobe Awuzie / Stacy Revere/Getty Images

See what's happening with Byron Jones this offseason? He's set to make a ton of money. Awuzie will have the opportunity to prove his worth in his contract year in 2020, and assuming he continues playing like he's been, he'll price himself out of Dallas, even with the salary cap expected to increase. The premium on defensive backs is high and it'll be hard for the front office to budget for Awuzie when the time comes.

1. Xavier Woods

Dallas Cowboys S Xavier Woods
Dallas Cowboys S Xavier Woods / Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

And the same goes for Woods. The former sixth-round pick has been a revelation for the Cowboys, but he's likely spending his last year in Big D in 2020. He registered 77 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and five passes defensed in 2019. He's missed just three games over three seasons and will be a high-priced commodity when free agency hits next year. The Cowboys need to brace for another loss in the secondary come 2021.