Dallas Cowboys Breaking Bad (contracts): 2019 Edition
By Reid Hanson
LB Sean Lee
As crazy as it seems, Sean Lee, aka “General Lee” , can no longer justify his roster spot on the Dallas Cowboys. Once regarded as the defense’s best player, leader, and playmaker, Sean Lee saw considerable slippage in his play in 2018.
Injuries, once again, did him no favors. After starting the first three weeks of the season, Lee injured his hamstring and was unable to ever regain his starting role. Part of it was the jaw-dropping play of Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith, sure. But even in relief of the duo affectionately known as, Van Jaylon, Lee struggled with the speed and physicality of the game.
It soon became apparent Lee wasn’t just outside of the top-2 in the Cowboys’ linebacker corps, but he fell to outside the top-3 or even top-4. Joe Thomas was a much better option backing up LVE at the WILL. And Damien Wilson (who’s a free agent) was the better option at SAM.
With Thomas on the books for a digestible $2,237,500 next season, he’s going to be the preferable option as depth to Jaylon and LVE. And without the build and durability needed to play the strong-side, Lee is a poor fit at SAM even if Wilson leaves in free agency (which I predict will happen).
Keeping Sean Lee will cost Dallas a whopping $10,075,000 but cutting him will only cost $3,075,000. Given how far he’s fallen on the field, it’s unlikely even a restructuring is possible given the paltry number of snaps he’d garner.
Where he goes next with his career is tough to say. Rated as Pro Football Focus’ 67th best LB and only playing 247 snaps on the season, it’s hard to believe many options will be available to the man once regarded as one of the best in the business.
Still, hope remains that Sean Lee will one da become the Cowboys’ next great defensive coordinator. Between coaching offers and television opportunities, Lee will have no shortage of opportunities post player career.