Dallas Cowboys: 4 who will need a contract next offseason

The General Rises Again

The longtime star on the defensive side of the ball in Dallas, Sean Lee, is going to need to sign off on a new contract. He is playing on a one year deal worth $3.5 million in 2020.

Since being drafted in the second round of the 2010 draft, Lee has been a staple in the Cowboys defense. In the nine seasons he played in Dallas, he had four 100+ tackle seasons, and would likely have more if it wasn’t for constant injuries.

Regardless, he is a one-time first-team All-Pro and a two time Pro Bowler. He very well could have made five Pro Bowls, but injuries kept his seasons short.

The great production Lee has had with the Cowboys is well noted. His impact on the young linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander-Esch have got to be more than what I’ve seen reported.

Having him as the third linebacker allows the Cowboys to continue to get great production out of him while allowing him to rest and prevent injuries. This led to his first 16 game season in his career last season.

If the Cowboys were to convince Lee to stick around longer, what would it cost? Well, the one-year deal he is on right now is worth a lowly $3.5 million. His production of 86 tackles and four passes defended with 59 percent of defensive snaps is a huge bargain.

Lee is taking a huge discount to remain with the team and help them win. If the often injured, soon to be 34-year-old wants to play yet another season, it will likely be at another bargain price.

This deal would benefit Dallas an enormous amount. Having a potential 100+ tackler play for a fraction of the price must have Jerry Jones drooling.

If by chance Lee doesn’t want to continue playing, I am sure that a coaching opportunity may open up for him. The success that he had and the length of success he had should translate well to being a coach. After all, what makes Lee such a great player was how smart he is.