The Dallas Cowboys will have some important decisions to make before NFL free agency begins on Wednesday, March 12.
According to Spotrac, 20 Cowboys players are set to become unrestricted free agents next week. Although owner/general manager Jerry Jones has time to re-sign certain names — especially now that the 2025 salary cap's increase has been confirmed — there's a good chance that the Cowboys will let a good chunk of their pending UFAs go after last season's abysmal performance.
In fact, one team insider is under the impression that the Cowboys will more than likely let two notable veterans walk this offseason.
Cowboys Rumors: Carl Lawson, Chauncey Golston 'Might Walk' in Free Agency
On Monday afternoon, Dallas Morning News' Calvin Watkins reported that the Cowboys will allow veteran defensive ends Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston to hit the open market next week.
Hearing restricted free agent KaVontae Turpin will get a 2 round tender ($5.34 mil) from Cowboys, unrestricted free agents Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston might walk. Team wants to retain Bryan Anger and Trent Sieg who are also UFA.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) March 3, 2025
Lawson and Golston are both looking for pay raises after successfully having bounce-back seasons in 2024. Considering how Jones & Co. are always looking to save a buck during the offseason, the Cowboys likely allowing the duo to test free agency isn't surprising.
The Cowboys signed Lawson to a one-year 'prove yourself' contract last offseason after tearing his Achilles as a member of the New York Jets. The fresh start is exactly what the former 2017 fourth-rounder needed as he went on to record seven solo tackles, five sacks, and a forced fumble despite only starting in three of his 15 appearances.
Additionally, Lawson's Pro Football Focus pass rush grade (64.8) was noticeably up from his previous mark (53.6), which could be attractive to any suitor looking to improve its edge situation.
While losing Lawson would sting, seeing Golston in another team's uniform might be a bigger blow to Cowboys fans. The former Iowa Hawkeye, who was selected 84th overall by Dallas in 2021, is coming off a career year that saw him set new personal bests in solo tackles (30), sacks (5.5), and defended passes (5) while also recording an 18-yard interception in 17 games (13 starts).
It took long enough, but Golston is finally showing his pass-rushing potential. That's a double-edged sword, though, as his improved performance might result in outside offers that the Cowboys can't afford (or are unwilling) to match.
The NFL's free agency tampering period begins on March 10, meaning it won't be long before Cowboys fans have a better idea of Lawson and Golston's outlooks. Assuming the duo departs Dallas, it'll be interesting to see who replaces them in Brian Schottenheimer's first season as head coach.