One of the biggest questions of the off-season was answered Tuesday as the Dallas Cowboys have reportedly released All-Pro defensive end DeMarcus Ware, according to an NFL.com report.

If he remained with Dallas, Ware, 31, was scheduled to count $16 million against the salary cap in 2014. The league announced late last week the salary ceiling for the upcoming season is $133 million.

Speculation about Ware’s future with the Cowboys has been ongoing for the better part of the season thanks to his high salary, increasing age and season-low numbers.

“DeMarcus had a hell of a career but when we’re in the cap situation that we’re in and obviously counting as much as he is obviously you have to look at it along with several others,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said last month.

Ware, who had been an outside linebacker in the Cowboys 3-4 scheme during his first eight seasons in the NFL, moved to defensive end last year and turned in the worst season of his career. He missed three games and finished with six sacks and 40 tackles, both career lows.

A nerve problem associated with a right-elbow injury, combined with other physical ailments that included a bothersome back and a quadriceps strain, contributed to Ware’s subpar performance this past season.

Ware had successful surgery on his elbow Feb. 18, so he should have no problem latching on with another team.

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SOURCE: SportsDay / The Dallas Morning News