The Dallas Cowboys have a great deal to lose in the 2024 NFL season. Without long-term extensions for quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and linebacker Micah Parsons, they are facing some concerning levels of uncertainty regarding the immediate future of their franchise. Additionally, head coach Mike McCarthy is entering the final year of his contract, and owner Jerry Jones declined to give him an extension.
While it remains likely that the Cowboys will be able to re-sign at least one of their stars, they need to go on a deep run in the NFL Playoffs in order to save McCarthy’s job. There have been a great many questions surrounding the makeup of the Cowboys’ roster this offseason, with some thinking that Jones is not giving McCarthy adequate talent to make said run to save his job.
Furthermore, trade rumors involving Dallas’ star players have abounded this offseason, adding credence to the belief that they may not really be all in to win this season.
NFL Analyst Encourages the Dallas Cowboys to Trade 4-Time Pro Bowl Defensive End DeMarcus Lawrence
While many of the trade rumors have involved Prescott, Lamb, and Parsons, Anthony DiBona of Pro Football Network suggests that the team trade four-time Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence:
“While it’s clear that Micah Parsons is a foundational piece on the edge for the Dallas Cowboys, DeMarcus Lawrence isn’t getting any younger. Lawrence is heading into the final year of his three-year contract with the Cowboys.
“Dallas could actually save $10 million by trading Lawrence, which would free up more snaps for the Cowboys’ young pass rushers. Dallas selected Marshawn Kneeland in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, potentially signaling the end of Lawrence’s tenure.”
As DiBona notes, trading Lawrence would save the Cowboys $10 million this season. This money could be used on their various contract extensions that still need to get done. However, it would be yet another blow to Dallas’ defense, which saw defensive coordinator Dan Quinn leave to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders earlier this offseason.
DeMarcus Lawrence Has Been Solid for the Dallas Cowboys for a Long Time
Lawrence was originally drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. While he did not play much as a rookie, he exploded in 2015 for 55 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and eight sacks (including a safety).
After an injury shortened his season in 2016, Lawrence dominated in 2017. That year, he had 58 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss. He finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting, was named Second Team All-Pro, and made his first Pro Bowl.
He made the Pro Bowl again in 2018 after recording 10.5 sacks, a career-high 64 tackles, and 15 tackles for loss. Lawrence has also made the Pro Bowl in each of the past two seasons.
His 58.5 career sacks rank 12th in franchise history.
Should the Dallas Cowboys Trade DeMarcus Lawrence?
As mentioned previously, Dallas could save $10 million by trading Lawrence. However, the Cowboys should have enough money already to get at least two of their pressing extensions done. All three of their best players are already under contract for 2024. Freeing up money now will not necessarily help those talks, unless Dallas plans on rolling it over onto next year’s salary cap.
It really does not make sense, though, for the Cowboys to trade one of the best defensive players, who also happens to be one of their longest tenured stars. Such a move would really indicate to everyone that they are not planning on being competitive this season, which could result in them losing all three of those aforementioned stars anyway.
