The 2025 offseason was one continuous gut punch for Dallas Cowboys fans. It started with the loss of two of the team’s longest-tenured players in DeMarcus Lawrence and Jourdan Lewis, and ended with Dallas trading Micah Parsons for an underwhelming return.
To say the Cowboys felt those losses would be an understatement, but arguably no departure stung more than Lawrence, who said upon signing with the Seattle Seahawks that he knew he'd never win a Super Bowl in Dallas, only to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in his first year with Seattle.
It was an all-time shot-call from Lawrence. However, the Seahawks are currently in limbo with regard to his status for next season. The former Cowboy is once again contemplating retirement, and while head coach Mike Macdonald thinks Lawrence will be back, that is no sure thing.
"To my knowledge, he's coming back. He always has the right to change his mind, but as of right now, he's coming back."
Former Dallas Cowboys star DeMarcus Lawrence is contemplating retirement again
Lawrence's agent, David Canter, ultimately shot down the idea that Lawrence contemplated retirement last offseason after Stephen Jones offered a cryptic answer about the DE's playing future. Here's what Jones said about Lawrence at last year's NFL Combine:
"We will have more discussions this week. I don't want to get out in front or assume anything one way or the other with D-Law, I'm sure he can speak to that, that's the way we like to leave it, just as Zack [Martin] spoke for himself on when he was going to retire."
At least within the Cowboys’ building, retirement was part of the equation with Lawrence. In the end, it didn’t matter, as Dallas was content to let him walk.
The five-time Pro Bowler would have been justified walking away then, but he has an even stronger case now after winning a Super Bowl in his age-33 season. Lawrence now has a rare opportunity to ride off into the sunset. Going out as a champion is a luxury few athletes ever get to experience.
Macdonald's comments suggest that Lawrence is closer to returning for a 13th season than hanging up his cleats, but that's no guarantee. After more reflection, Lawrence may decide he's given enough to the game.
What may ultimately swing Lawrence in the direction of returning is that he's still playing at a very high level. He also stayed healthy, playing in 16 of 17 regular-season games before having a major role in the 'Hawks' run to Super Bowl 60.
Lawrence finished first among edge defenders with an 85.0 run-defense grade, per Pro Football Focus. He was also top 20 at the position in forced fumbles (fourth), defensive stops (17th), quarterback hits (18th), and defensive touchdowns (first).
Retiring as a champion would be the perfect sendoff for one of the Cowboys’ best defensive players of this century. Much like DeMarcus Ware before him, though, it will always sting that he didn’t win a ring with Dallas.