Former star DeMarcus Lawrence traded Dallas for Seattle, now poised for Super Bowl glory after a blunt assessment of his old team's championship drought.
DeMarcus Lawrence had to get something off his chest. He delivered harsh words to the only NFL team he had ever played for, the Dallas Cowboys.
Lawrence came to the Cowboys via a second-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. The Bosie State standout posted 61.5 sacks, 97 tackles for loss and 126 quarterback hits during an 11-year career in Dallas.
In 2024, Lawrence decided to test the free agent market and signed a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks.
In what has become expected from the Cowboys over the years, Dallas allowed Lawrence to walk away. As a result, they took a multi-million-dollar, dead money hit to the salary cap.
Lawrence did not mince words once he reported to his new team. In a story by Todd Archer of ESPN last March, Lawrence was quoted as saying,
“"A change in scenery is always good, but Dallas is my home. I made my home there, my family lives there, I'm forever going to be there. But I know for sure I'm not going to win a Super Bowl there, so yeah. We here."
Micah Parsons responded to Lawrence’s comment in kind. Parsons was later traded by the Cowboys to the Packers, but missed the playoffs because of a knee injury.
“"This what rejection and envy look like! This some clown (expletive)!", Parsons responded in a post on X.
Envy? More like prophecy. Lawrence and the Seahawks are now one win away from playing in the Super Bowl. In 2025, Lawrence recorded 24 solo tackles, six sacks and three forced fumbles for a Seattle team that won a franchise record 14 games last season. The Seahawks ranked in the top three in the league in points allowed, turnover margin and yards allowed.
Against the 49ers in the divisional round on Saturday, Lawrence had a sack of San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy that resulted in a fumble and recovery by the Seahawks in a dominant 41-6 victory.
The Seahawks and Lawrence now await the winner of the Rams-Bears divisional playoff game and will face off in the NFC Championship Game, to be hosted by the Seahawks.
Sometimes you have to take risks to enjoy success. A gut punch to your professional benefactor buckled the knees of the Cowboys. But the truth hurts.
Dallas has not played in, or won, a Super Bowl in 30 years. If Lawrence can be on stage hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with the Seahawks, then Lawrence will be vindicated. It will also be just more of the same for the Cowboys as they watch another Super Bowl from the comfort of their couch.