Free agents who leave an organization naturally feel like the very thing they are: losses. But not all losses are equal and sometime they can signal good things rather than bad things. Such is the case in 2025 with the Dallas Cowboys.
2025 NFL free agency, which kicks off March 12, threatens to take more than just a few key contributors from the Cowboys. Osa Odighizuwa was re-signed to a multiyear deal but players such as Rico Dowdle, Jourdan Lewis, DeMarcus Lawrence, Carl Lawson and Chauncey Golston could all potentially depart to greener pastures.
A case has previously been made that Lawrence and Lewis are too valuable to the Cowboys to lose this offseason. The intangibles they bring, be it grit on the field or leadership in the locker room, aren't things that are so easily replaced by just any rookie draft pick and any run-of-the-mill free agent. These special players bring rare qualities that may justify new deals even if both players look like they may be on the downslopes of their respective careers (although Lewis is actually coming off his best season as a pro).
On the flipside, a case can also be made some well-performing internal free agents should now be free to leave. Cowboys' defensive linemen Lawson and Golston played key roles on the Dallas defense in 2024. The two combined for 1,192 snaps on defense and were critical pieces in a defensive end group that was completely ravaged by injury. But for as important as they were, they are also replaceable parts. Unless they're willing to come back on sweetheart deals, it could be in both parties' best interest for a parting of the ways.
Golston, drafted No. 84 overall in 2021, was a slow developer in the NFL. Prior to 2024 he had made just three career starts. He logged more sacks and tackles-for-loss last season than in three years combined. His play in 2024 likely earned him a big new contract and starting spot in 2025, but probably not with the Cowboys. Spotrac projects his value at a three-year, $22 million deal. The Cowboys have a number of large contracts to manage and can't afford to re-hire everyone they want. Tough choices must be made in some areas and Golston's roster spot is probably one of those areas.
Lawson is another such player whose strong play in 2024 has earned him a hefty pay bump in 2025, with Spotrac projecting a one year deal for $7 million. Like Golston, necessity pushed the veteran into the big role last season. It was a situation where Lawson rose to the challenge and helped keep a struggling Cowboys defense afloat amidst some rather turbulent waters.
Both players proved their worth and both players served their purpose. Their play was solid, but unspectacular. It makes them somewhat replaceable parts because, in many ways, they were added to be replaceable parts. No disrespect to these two but such is the nature of the league. Successful teams are required to cycle good players in and out. The Cowboys may not have been a good team in the win-loss column last year, but they've been among the best regarding talent acquisition. How many other NFL teams have franchise players making franchise money at five-plus positions? Roster losses come with the territory.
The Cowboys just so happen to be extremely skilled at finding inexpensive DE talent in free agency. They found it with Lawson and before him they found it with Dante Fowler. They have a history of filling these rotational roles with inexpensive free agents on prove-it deals. Golston, a draft pick, can be replaced with a draft pick. Defensive line is a strength of the 2025 NFL draft and solid pieces should be able to be found into Day 3.
Some losses are digestible and these potential losses are just that. The Cowboys have a track record of finding inexpensive role players later in free agency and later in the draft. It could be in everyone's best interest to part ways.