Cowboys' Dante Fowler signing guarantees a departure fans won't like

The Dallas Cowboys have hardly made any splash moves in free agency, as long as you don't count re-signing Osa Odighizuwa. What they have done, though, is improve their depth at various positions. They still have a long way to go, but it's been an encouraging start.

Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders bring needed competition and experience to a previously-barren backfield, while Jack Sanborn and Kenneth Murray beef up the linebacker. Grizzled vet Solomon Thomas gives Dallas another capable interior defender.

If Dallas was going to make a "splash" it probably happened on Friday when they signed pass rusher Dante Fowler to a one-year contract. Fowler reportedly has a base salary of $6 million but can make as much as $8 million with incentives. It makes Fowler one of the team's biggest external signings in years

In terms of the edge room, Dallas is probably set until the draft, where they will hopefully target someone who can double as a pass-rusher and run defender. Fowler does not offer much against the run.

The same can be said for another Cowboys free agent whom many fans were hoping would return after impressing last season.

Cowboys signing Dante Fowler likely guarantees Carl Lawson's departure

It pains us to admit it, but Fowler's return likely means Dallas won't be re-signing Carl Lawson, who became a fan favorite over the course of the 2024 season in part because he performed well after fans begged the front office to sign him last summer.

Lawson's 5.0 sacks were tied with DeMarvion Overshown for third on the team. Only Micah Parsons and Osa Odighizuwa had more quarterback hits than Lawson's 16 and he ranked fourth on the team with 27 pressures, per PFF.

By all accounts, it was an impressive bounce-back year from Lawson, who fell out of favor with the Jets in 2023 due to injuries and sheer depth. He played just six games and failed to record a sack.

It wasn't all perfect from Lawson last season, but considering he signed in the middle of August and had to adapt to one of the most complex defensive schemes in the NFL, it turned out to be a really good signing.

Unfortunately, Fowler returning probably means there's no room for Lawson.

The Cowboys sorely need another defensive end who is a plus, or at least average, run defender. Asking Marshawn Kneeland, who looked good as a rookie, to play the DeMarcus Lawrence role would be a massive roll of the dice.

Maybe they forgo that profile altogether and bring Lawson back for more pass rush juice, but it goes without saying that Lawson does not check the run-defending box. Assuming Dallas looks for versatility in their next EDGE addition, don't expect Lawson to return.