Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence made it clear late in the 2024 season he wants to, and will, play in 2025, and he would prefer it to be with the only NFL team he’s ever known.

“What’s changed?” he asked on Thursday afternoon.

Other than nearly the entire coaching staff …

On Thursday at a promotional event at H-E-B in far north Fort Worth, Lawrence signed autographs and posed for photos for a long line of patient and passionate Dallas Cowboys fans. The man can work a room, and judging by the reaction of the fans you would have thought the team just won its eighth consecutive Super Bowl.

The 11-year veteran of the Cowboys said: “My family is here. I love it here. The fans love me here.”

A few hours before this event, his agent, David Canter, told 105.3 The Fan during an appearance from the NFL’s Combine in Indianapolis: “Good news. (Lawrence is) is 100% healthy, bad news is he’s a free agent so for Dallas Cowboys fans who love DeMarcus Lawrence there’s a possibility that he leaves.”

The Cowboys were scheduled to talk to Canter on Friday in Indianapolis.

“The ball is in their court. I’m not only going to play in Dallas,” Lawrence said. “I’m going to have other options, but I’d like to stay here. It would be a glorious thing.”

Tank’s tone was pragmatic, optimistic, not remotely adversarial or irritated. He’s been around long enough to know how this goes. He will play again. He’d like to play for the Cowboys. If it doesn’t work out, life, and football, will go on.

The Boise State alum has been a constant with the Cowboys since he was selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

After playing in all 17 games in 2022 and in 2023, Lawrence was limited to just four in 2024.

He suffered a foot injury in Week 4 that ended his season. He could have potentially returned late in the season, but with the team removed from playoff contention both parties agreed there was no point in coming back.

In limited time, he had 14 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble. When he played, he played like Tank. His absence was one of the many reasons why the defense was so bad for prolonged stretches.

He wasn’t going to fix everything, but it’s noticeable when he’s not on the field.

When he’s right, he’s consistently been an outstanding player against the run and a solid edge pass rusher. He ranks 10th in franchise history 61.5 career sacks.

He’s played for multiple defensive coordinators, and adjusted well to anything and everything. He’s come back from surgery multiple times, and aged about as well as a player can at his position.

He’s never been a problem. He’s taken a paycut. He’s been a good soldier, teammate, employee, and ambassador for the franchise.

A concern for the Cowboys is whether they make Lawrence’s potential contract fit while they try to re-sign defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to a new deal. Odighizuwa will draw a healthy dollar figure if he becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Another concern is Lawrence’s age, injury history, and projected production. He will turn 33 in April; he is at that age when players are vulnerable to dropping off, when injuries just happen.

The Cowboys used a second round pick on Western Michigan’s Marshawn Kneeland in the 2024 draft with the idea that he would replace Lawrence. Kneeland played in 11 games last season, suffered a knee injury that kept him out for six weeks, and while he showed some flashes he mostly looked like a rookie.