The Dallas Cowboys are feeling the sting of a costly mistake, and it’s not just the absence of Micah Parsons, now thriving with the Green Bay Packers, that’s haunting them. DeMarcus Lawrence, the former Cowboys pass rusher who signed a $42 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks, is proving to be the one that got away. His dominant Week 7 performance against the Houston Texans has Cowboys fans reminiscing about what could have been, as Dallas’ defense struggles to generate any semblance of a pass rush.
Seattle Seahawks v Arizona Cardinals – NFL 2025
At 33 years old and with a history of lower-body injuries, Seattle’s willingness to shell out $42 million for Lawrence raised eyebrows. However, the Seahawks’ investment is paying dividends. Paired with Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, and Leonard Williams, Lawrence has helped form one of the NFL’s most fearsome defensive fronts. In contrast, the Cowboys’ defense ranks among the league’s worst, leaving fans to wonder if letting Lawrence walk was the unforced error of the year.
In Seattle’s Monday night victory over the Texans, Lawrence showcased his enduring prowess, racking up four pressures, two defensive stops, and a sack against C.J. Stroud. While those numbers might seem modest, his impact was anything but. On a critical fourth-down play, Lawrence bulldozed through Houston’s battered offensive line to stuff running back Woody Marks behind the line, a clutch moment that echoed his knack for stepping up when it matters most. For Cowboys fans, it was a painful reminder of the veteran’s ability to change games—something Dallas desperately lacks.
Through the first seven weeks of the season, Lawrence has posted 19 pressures, four sacks, 13 defensive stops, and a 72.8 run-defense grade, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Even a fraction of that production could transform the Cowboys’ anemic defense, which has been plagued by inconsistency from younger players like Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland. As Dallas scrambles for answers, Lawrence’s hot start in Seattle underscores the magnitude of their misstep.
Lawrence’s departure wasn’t just about money—it was about belief. He reportedly left Dallas because he doubted the team’s ability to contend for a Super Bowl. The trade of Micah Parsons might bolster his case, but Lawrence’s energy and veteran presence could have been the spark to ignite a struggling Cowboys squad. While no one expected him to return to Pro Bowl form, his early success with the Seahawks suggests he still has plenty left in the tank.
Letting Lawrence walk for nothing may have been a mutual parting of ways, but as Dallas’ defense continues to falter, the decision looks increasingly like a self-inflicted wound. The Seahawks are reaping the rewards of a revitalized pass rusher, while the Cowboys are left to lament what might have been. If Dallas hopes to salvage their season, they’ll need to find a way to replace the irreplaceable—a game-changer they let slip away.
