Dallas Cowboys: 5 most important free agents in 2021
By Connor Green
4. Sean Lee, Linebacker
The two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Sean Lee is no longer the same player he was once was for the Dallas Cowboys. The 35-year old has had a career that has been consistently plagued with injuries. The linebacker has only played in at least 12 games once in the previous three seasons.
Lee was once a dominant force on the Cowboys defense and the de facto leader of the unit. From 2015 to 2017 he had three straight seasons with more than 100 tackles and even managed to be named to the All-Pro team in 2016.
Dallas decided to bring back the veteran linebacker on a one-year deal worth $4.5 million this offseason. Lee, who has been with Dallas since starting his NFL career back in 2004, had been rumored to have been mulling over whether or not to retire last year.
Ultimately the veteran defender decided to come back and play for the Cowboys this season. However, he has once again been haggled with injuries this year and has only played in three games thus far.
It is very plausible that this is going to be Sean Lee’s last season in the NFL. If that is the case the organization might want to consider whether they want to bring him onto the defensive coaching staff next year. His familiarity with the game of football would likely make him an excellent coach.
However, if Lee wants to continue playing next season the Cowboys should only bring him back if he agrees to a league minimum contract. He has struggled to stay on the field for a while now and even though it is painful to acknowledge he is clearly no longer worth bringing back as anything other than a mentor for younger players.