Cowboys Could Have OLB Anthony Spencer In Their Long-Term Plans

Nick Eatman of DallasCowboys.com writes that the team could schedule a meeting with Anthony Spencer‘s agent some time during the scouting combine in the hope of starting some early dialogue regarding a possible contract extension.

Eatman admits that it’s unlikely that the Cowboys will consider using their franchise tag on Spencer for the second straight year given that it would come with a 20 percent increase on top of the $8.8 million tag figure.

Dallas has some major cap issues to address. Previous reports have indicated that they’re currently sitting $20 million above the projected salary cap.

If Spencer is indeed a part of their long-term plans, they will not only have to free up some much needed cap room, but they may have to structure his deal so that his 2013 cap figure is much lower than the remaining years.

All things considered, it’s more likely that Spencer will test the market come March. He should find plenty of interest, considering that he’s coming off of a season that included 106 tackles, 11 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Spencer joins Paul Kruger as the best available rush linebackers in this year’s free agent class.

We have Spencer listed as the No. 13 best available player in our Top 50 Free Agents list