3 Bold Cowboys Predictions for the 2024 Offseason
By Jovan Alford
2. Cowboys Release DeMarcus Lawrence
If Dallas wants to make a splash this offseason, they will need some cap space. Heading into the new league year, Spotrac projects the Cowboys to be at least $14M over the salary cap.
With them being over the cap, the Cowboys will have to make some tough decisions, such as potentially releasing star defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. The 31-year-old Lawrence had a solid 2023 campaign, recording 50 combined tackles, 10 tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, and six pass deflections.
The veteran defensive end didn’t get to the quarterback a ton this season, but he still found a way to wreak havoc in the backfield every week.
The Cowboys would love to keep him on the defensive line with Micah Parsons, but he carries a $20M cap hit (third-highest on the team) and has a $20M dead cap.
If the Cowboys were to cut Lawrence before Jun.1, Dallas would save $2.5M. But if the team cut the veteran pass rusher after Jun. 1, they would save $10M. The cap space numbers would be similar for Lawrence if the Cowboys traded him.
Lawrence is one of the stalwarts on the defensive line and the entire defense, but push might come to shove if Dallas sees something else they like.