Doug Free Reportedly Considering Retirement

Dallas Cowboys right tackle Doug Free is reportedly considering retirement, according to Mike Fisher of 105.3 The Fan.

Free, 33, has served as the team's starting right tackle since the 2009 season and has missed just five games in the past seven seasons. 

If Free doesn't return, the Cowboys have options. Guard La'el Collins played tackle in college and could be shifted to right tackle. The Cowboys could also re-sign guard Ron Leary and make him a starter.

On Tuesday, Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones said the team expects Free to return in 2017.

"Our projection is Doug is going to come back, and he's our starting right tackle," Jones told Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "Obviously if we don't get Leary re-signed, which will be difficult, then we see La'el as our starting guard."

Jones elaborated: "We've visited about [Collins playing right tackle]. Obviously right now, we feel good about Doug coming back and being able to do that. But if Doug were to retire or not be around or if something happened to him, than yeah, we've visited about who would have the best chance to go outside of our inside guys. I think [Collins] would certainly be an option."

If Free doesn't return, the Cowboys might have the cap space to retain Leary. Free has a cap hit of $7.5 million next season, and saving that money—along with being able to offer Leary a starting position at guard—would give them the opportunity to make a run at re-signing the veteran.