3 Cowboys Playing Their Final December in Dallas

2. DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE

One of the areas of this Dallas Cowboys roster that could be getting a huge makeover in 2025 is the defensive side of the ball.

Obviously, the Cowboys have decisions to make if they bring in a new coaching staff as to who calls plays for the defense and what players fit that coach's personnel preferences, but there are also just some decisions on this side of the ball that will come down to dollars and cents.

With Trevon Diggs getting a contract extension and Micah Parsons next in line, the Cowboys can't really justify bringing back veteran DeMarcus Lawrence unless he comes back on a greatly reduced and team-friendly contract.

And given the fact that he's running out of time to make as much money as possible in the NFL, that doesn't feel overly likely. Lawrence has been dealing with injuries and is going to be 33 years old next offseason. The Cowboys have been investing in players in the NFL Draft to be able to eventually replace Lawrence in the lineup, and I think we'll see them officially move on to those guys in 2025.

Namely, the Cowboys will get Marshawn Kneeland -- a 2024 second-round pick -- more involved, and hopefully we will see Sam Williams healthy and ready to play at a high level again.

Saying goodbye to Lawrence won't be easy but it just doesn't make sense for the Cowboys to bring him back with the other contract decisions this team has hanging over its head. Lawrence may not even have that much of a market in NFL free agency given his age and the fact that he only played four games this season.