With over 20 impending free agents, the Dallas Cowboys cannot afford to sit around and let the market come to them this offseason.

While nobody is claiming that Jerry and Stephen Jones have oodles of money to throw around, they have a lot more than they let on.

Stephen Jones in particular has said all the right things since the offseason started.

After watching the hated Eagles hoist the Lombardi Trophy, Jones conceded that bringing in players from outside the organization is paramount to team success.

As encouraging as it is to hear that the Cowboys are entrenched in negotiations with star defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, the offseason got off to a daunting start when franchise legend and future Hall of Famer Zack Martin announced his retirement.

The team may look internally to replace Martin at right guard, but his retirement creates another question in an offseason that is littered with mystery.

And it sounds like it might get worse before it gets better.

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones offered cryptic comments on DeMarcus Lawrence’s future

Jones caught up with the Dallas media at the scouting combine in Indianapolis this week and offered some thought-provoking comments on DeMarcus Lawrence’s future. One of the team’s many impending free agents, Lawrence just wrapped his 11th-year in Dallas.

“We’ll have more discussions this week, Jones said of Lawrence’s free agency, via Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I don’t want to get out in front or assume one thing or the other. I assume he can speak to that, that’s where we like to leave it.”

While Jones knows how to handle the media, that quote comes off as extremely cryptic. The Cowboys’ EVP was much more candid about negotiations with Odighizuwa.

The delicate approach with regards to Lawrence may imply the 32-year-old (who turns 33 in April) is contemplating retirement.

Lawrence missed all but four games last season with a mid-foot sprain.

While Lawrence has been durable throughout his career, he may take a page out of Martin’s playbook after Martin’s final season ended prematurely due to ankle surgery.

Lawrence arguably has more to give at his position relative to Martin, however.

He’s still among the best run defenders at the EDGE position and is a handful to deal with rushing the passer. That isn’t to say he’s still a three-down player, but every team in the NFL could use a D-Law.

The four-time Pro Bowler made it clear near the end of the 2024 season that he wanted to play another season.

It’s very possible that has changed.

It’s also very possible that Lawrence still wants to play. Retirement speculation is bound to follow a player in their mid-30s, but “Tank” is one year removed from making a Pro Bowl in one of his finest seasons to date. He also started this past season on a tear before his injury.

At the same time, it is hard to read Jones’ comments and not be left thinking that the retirement door is very much open for Lawrence.