Don’t expect the Dallas Cowboys to go on a wild spending spree.

But at least the team can do some budget shopping now without having to cut players to sign one.

The robust $108 million, six-year contract for quarterback Tony Romo not only secured his future with a star on the side of his helmet, it provided the franchise with desperately needed salary-cap relief. The Cowboys were pressed right against the $123 million limit and Romo’s new deal reduces his cap figure from $16.8 million to $11.8 million, freeing up $5 million in space, according to Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas.

The Cowboys will be able to add multiple players with that space in what is now the second wave of free agency where teams are benefitting from an extreme buyers market. Dallas was interested in some players but simply couldn’t make offers to guard Matt Slauson and linebacker Chase Blackburn, according to Archer. Now, the team will have some freedom to operate.

If the Cowboys can work out a multi-year contract for defensive end Anthony Spencer, who has been secured with the franchise tag, that would create even more space.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune