Cam Erving’s contract details make it seem like he’s definitely making the Cowboys roster

Stephen Jones has said on multiple occasions that roster acquisition is something that takes place 24/7, 365 days a year. Last week, the Cowboys continued adding to their roster and did so by adding to what many view as a strength - the offensive line. Dallas landed offensive tackle Cam Erving and now have options along the interior and outside portions of the line, in spite of Travis Frederick’s retirement earlier this offseason.

Erving’s presence raised questions as to who the swing tackle of 2020 would truly be. For the last couple of years that job has belonged to a different Cam, Fleming, so sliding one in for the other certainly feels nice, but is that the best possible choice?

Contract details for Cam Erving are in and it is a healthy deal

While there has been thought that perhaps Brandon Knight could be the team’s swing tackle of the future, so much of football depends on finances and money committed to certain players. Given what the Cowboys have given Erving, the job appears to be his to lose.

Cameron Erving’s one-year deal with the Cowboys is worth $2.5 million with the chance to earn another $250,000 through play-time incentives. Erving will receive a $750,000 signing bonus and a $1.25 million base salary, which is fully guaranteed. He can earn up to $500,000 in active roster bonuses ($31,250 per game). He can earn $125,000 if he plays in 65% of the snaps and the Cowboys make the playoffs and another $125,000 if he plays in 80% and they make the playoffs.

A commitment of $2.5M to Erving does smell like the Cowboys are valuing him as someone that is definitely going to be on the roster in 2020, and if he is part of the team he will very likely be their swing tackle. We have seen the Cowboys really value compensatory picks, or at least the potential for them, in recent years and they waited until after the point where signed players would factor into the formula in order to sign Erving.

Outside of the team’s five starters (putting Joe Looney at center for now) the Cowboys have Connor McGovern, Brandon Knight, rookie Tyler Biadasz, and now Erving as key reserves. There are UDFAs from both last year (Mitch Hyatt) and this year (Terence Steele) that will certainly merit consideration but they appear to be facing uphill battles.