After several injury-plagued seasons in the NFL, no one would fault Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee if he were to call it a career. However, at this time, Lee says that he’s leaning towards a return in 2019 (via David Moore of the Dallas News). 
“I want to continue to play the game, but I have to evaluate physically where I’m at. I definitely have some decisions to make,” Lee said. “I’m leaning toward playing for sure.”
Staying on the field has long been an issue for Lee. Thanks to hamstring injuries, Lee appeared in only seven games in 2018 and was eventually eclipsed by rookie Leighton Vander Esch. The veteran finished out with a career-low 37 tackles and had just half a sack.
Lee was sensational for the Cowboys earlier in his career and still provides veteran leadership to the defense, so it won’t be an easy call for the team. Lee managed four interceptions in both the 2011 and 2013 seasons. He missed all of 2014 with a torn ACL, but bounced back to earn a Pro Bowl nod in 2015 and had a Pro Bowl/First-Team All-Pro season in 2016.
Lee, 33 in July, is under contract for one more season at a $10.075MM cap figure. The Cowboys can save $7MM by releasing him against just $3.075MM in dead money.
Sean Lee did not provide $11 million of value to the Cowboys in 2018. Or even $7 million. A good compromise would be renegotiating 2019 down to about $5 million. The Cowboys are in for $3 million anyway and there’s a good chance Lee could provide $2 million in added value. Either way, retirement looks.
Or they could always try to trade him.
And he’s injured again.
Wow! He’s 33? It seems like just a few years ago that he was tearing it up for my alma mater. Time sure does fly.
Definitely a future Cowboys Ring Of Honor member.