The Dallas Cowboys have not yet made contact with defensive end Demarcus Ware over a new contract, NFL insider Ian Rapoport has said.

The Cowboys are considering releasing Ware if he rejects a pay cut, with his current salary cap due to cost them $61m (£36.6m) over the next four years.

If Ware can't agree a deal with the Cowboys once negotiations begin, the team can cut him before June 1 to save money and explore their options in free agency.

Rapoport said via his personal Twitter account: "Jerry Jones told SportsCenter DeMarcus Ware could be cut. Dallas hasn't asked Ware to take a pay cut. No communication between parties yet."

Ware has been with the franchise since being selected by them with their first-round pick in 2005.