DeMarcus Ware wants decision

— -- DeMarcus Ware has requested the Dallas Cowboys make a decision on his future before the NFL's free-agency signing period begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, according to a league source.

The Cowboys have declared Ware will not remain on the roster at his current salary of $12.25 million and have proposed a reduction that would enable him to continue his career in Dallas.

It is unknown what salary the Cowboys have proposed for Ware -- the franchise leader in sacks -- or whether they intend to honor his request. Because the team is under the salary cap, it does not have to release him for a savings of $7.4 million to be in compliance.

Theoretically, the Cowboys might gain leverage if they retain Ware beyond the early part of free agency, allowing teams to spend money on players at his position and creating a depressed market for Ware if he doesn't consent to their proposed pay cut.

Ware had a career-low six sacks and missed games because of injury for the first time in his career last season, when he played defensive end in what was one of the worst defensive seasons in franchise history.