Cowboys create boatload of cap space with genius CeeDee Lamb restructure

The Dallas Cowboys will surely do plenty of things over the next several months that warrant criticism, but there is nothing for fans to complain about with how the offseason has started.

With a week to spare before the start of free agency, Dallas and Osa Odigzhiwua agreed one a four-year, $80 million extension that includes $52 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus.

It was reported during the Combine that Odighizuwa's deal could eclipse $90 million with an AAV pushing $25 million. That suggests the 26-year-old took a slight discount to remain with the Cowboys. Either way the team got outstanding value with the contract.

While it's a vast improvement from usual timelines this front office operates on, it hardly means they'll be aggressive in free agency ... Or will they?

Not long after announcing Odighizuwa's extension, the Cowboys wisely restructured CeeDee Lamb's contract.

Cowboys smartly restructure CeeDee Lamb after extending Osa Odighizuwa

Lamb inked a four-year, $136 million extension last summer. The $34 million AAV made him the second-highest paid receiver in football behind.

That deal goes into effect this season, which made Lamb an obvious restructure candidate. The move creates a whopping $20 million in cap space, which can be used to improve the roster this offseason.

As is the case with all contract restructures, the Cowboys will get dinged down the line in the form of dead money. This front office doesn't always operate like it has a win-now core, but restructuring deals is one of the many loopholes the NFL salary cap offers to maximize a winning window.

Don't be shocked if Dak Prescott is next up on the restructure side of things. While Dallas has $20 million more than they had yesterday, Prescott has a $89 million cap hit for next season. That is by far the biggest cap hit in the NFL. A Dak restructure would free up $37 million in cap room, while a Micah Parsons extension would create over $18 million, according to Over The Cap.

Moral of the story? Don't let anyone tell you the Cowboys don't have any money. By extending Odighizuwa, he will count a lowly $6.25 million on this year's cap. Though it's unclear how much money the team will have by the time free agency kicks off, the Joneses will have more than enough to be "selectively aggressive."

There is still a LONG way to go, but Dallas is off to a much better start this offseason compared to last. Let's hope they keep it going.