FRISCO, Texas – Following the 2018 season-ending loss in the NFC Divisional round to the Los Angeles Rams, Cowboys’ linebacker Sean Lee wanted to talk with his family regarding his future. As one of only two Cowboys left on the roster in their 30’s(32), combined with the fact that Lee has not played a full 16-game season due to injury in the league, he contemplated retirement. His love and passion for the game apparently won the debate as it was announced today per the Athletic, that Lee is expected to return for his 10th season wearing the infamous Star.
Lee played in seven games in 2018, taking on a new role on the sideline as a coach to rookie Leighton Vander Esch and second-year starter Jaylon Smith. He has been the heart and soul of the Cowboys’ defense for the past several seasons and his work ethic and knowledge of the game are unmatched. In years past, Dallas’ defense has suffered tremendously when Lee has been absent from the lineup, but with the resurgence of Jaylon Smith and LVE’s standout rookie year, the Cowboys’ are in a much better place with the depth of their LB core.
Lee is set to hit the cap at $10.075 million and $7 million in base salary in 2019, and he will become an unrestricted free agent in 2020. Now that he has made it clear he plans to return to the gridiron in 2019, his contract and a possible pay cut will be negotiated.
Throughout his career with Dallas since 2010, the ‘Quarterback of the defense, ‘ has amassed 456 solo tackles, 698 combined, three sacks, 26 pass defends, 13 interceptions, and two touchdowns.
Smith and Vander Esch have repeatedly attributed their success this past year to Sean’s words of wisdom from the sideline, and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli remarked on the asset Lee is to America’s Team, “ I do not know if I have ever been around a guy who prepares harder, is more locked in every single day, and how much it means to him. This thing means everything to him. It is more than a career for him. [During his injury] he was back in the office staying up late, watching film, and helping guys and giving them pointers, and was out on the field talking to guys. You just do not see that…that is how the game should be, what he does. “
I do not know if I have ever seen a player who wants to be on the field more than Lee and he has been robbed of that privilege every season due to his plague of injuries, but hopefully 2019 will be a first for No. 50.
