Linebacker Dexter Coakley's eight-year career with the Cowboys ended Tuesday when the team re-leased the three-time Pro Bowler for salary and philosophical reasons.
Owner Jerry Jones left open the possibility of the Cowboys re-signing Coakley as an unrestricted free agent.
"Dexter has been a valuable contributor to this organization since the first day he stepped on the field," Jones said. "He is a consummate professional, both on and off the field, whose potential return to the team is something that will be explored."
The Cowboys wanted Coakley to take a salary reduction from the $3.3 million he was scheduled to make in 2005. His role had been reduced in 2004 because of coach Bill Parcells' desire to play Bradie James, a 6-foot-2, 245-pounder with the size the coach preferred.
Coakley, the Cowboys' fourth leading career tackler, was likely to have his playing time reduced further in 2005 because of an expected switch to the 3-4 defense. The 5-10, 231-pound veteran is considered too small to play as a 3-4 outside linebacker.
Coakley and the Cowboys were unable to agree on a restructured contract, forcing his release Tuesday. By cutting Coakley, the Cowboys avoided paying a $502,000 roster bonus that was due today. They also saved roughly $1.8 million from the 2005 salary cap. Coakley will count $2.9 million against the cap in 2005, rather than his original cap figure of $4.7 million.
Coakley is building a house in the Dallas area and will consider re-signing with the Cowboys, but he also plans to explore his options on the free-agent market.
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