It's a major indictment on Jerry Jones that Dallas Cowboys game days are now filled with existential dread. Most fan bases would be excited that their team is making a beeline for a high draft pick, but Cowboys ownership offers little reason to look forward to the offseason.
Cowboys fans can only hope that the Joneses realized that doing absolutely nothing to offset departures in free agency is not the answer. This roster is extremely top-heavy and needs help at myriad positions.
It will be interesting to see which free agents Dallas chooses to retain.
While fans would love to have Zack Martin back, it's looking increasingly likely that he will retire after the season. It seems that Martin's body is finally betraying him. He isn't the same player and he's currently battling injuries to both of his ankles.
Though Martin's departure will be a gut punch, the Cowboys got some uplifting news regarding another veteran's playing future.
Cowboys star DE DeMarcus Lawrence is not considering retirement
DeMarcus Lawrence told reporters that he wants to continue playing in 2025. Lawrence still isn't ready to return from a foot sprain. He's been on injured reserve since Week 4 and was never expected to return before Thanksgiving. It remains to be seen when he might return.
DeMarcus Lawrence still not ready to play yet. He said he wants to continue playing next year. Also, Jourdan Lewis hopes to play this week. He’ll wear bigger shoulder pads tonight to protect that neck shoulder area.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) November 20, 2024
That Lawrence wants to play another season, though, is huge news and should leave the front office with a no-brainer decision in the offseason.
Yes, the Cowboys should absolutely re-sign Lawrence.
While Lawrence will turn 33 in April, he's still an elite run defender. It's hard to evaluate Lawrence's 2024 being he's only played four games, but he was awesome last season. He posted the second-highest run-defense grade (92.2) among edge defenders to go with 27 stops and a 11.4% run-stop rate, per Pro Football Focus.
Micah Parsons is quietly improving setting the edge against the run. While the Cowboys need to overhaul their interior defensive line to improve as a run defense, Lawrence, Parsons and Marshawn Kneeland would be terrific complementary pieces in that regard.
Of course, re-signing Lawrence shouldn't dissuade Dallas from adding another pass-rusher. We wouldn't even be opposed to using a high pick on the position. Penn State's Abdul Carter, Texas A&M's Nic Scourton and Tennessee's James Pearce Jr. are possible first-round targets.
The Cowboys have not been able to replicate the pass-rush production left behind by Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler.
Stacking the EDGE position should be one of their top priorities and Lawrence brings the best of both worlds as a stout run defender and adequate pass rusher. Beyond that, Lawrence's leadership and veteran presence will pay dividends for whomever takes over as head coach.
It should be the easiest move Dallas makes this offseason.