The Cowboys have taken linebacker Justin Durant out of a holding pattern.
The team announced Wednesday that they have restructured the contract of quarterback Kyle Orton, allowing them to officially sign Durant to a two-year deal. Durant is expected to compete for a starting job alongside Sean Lee and Bruce Carter in Dallas, a competition he’ll likely be favored to win over Kyle Wilber, Alex Albright and Ernie Sims.
There are no details about the restructuring done to Orton’s contract. He signed a three-year, $10.5 million deal with the team before the 2012 season and was set to make $1.35 million this year and $3.25 million next season. He likely converted a portion of his 2013 salary to a bonus, which spreads the cap hit out over the next two years and gives the team the space they needed to bring Durant into the fold.
Safety Will Allen is also waiting to officially sign a deal with the Cowboys, something that will require the team to free up more space. The same would be true if they are able to come to agreement with guard Brandon Moore, who visited the team recently.
