5 players the Dallas Cowboys gave up on way too early
4. DeMarcus Ware, EDGE
The Dallas Cowboys used a first-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft on Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware, and nobody can ever take away the great years he played for the team.
As a member of the Cowboys, Ware began his bid for Canton with years of consistent pass rush productivity. In 141 games with the Dallas Cowboys, Ware had 117.0 sacks, 145 tackles for loss, 185 QB hits, 32 forced fumbles, and multiple defensive touchdowns as he became one of the most feared pass rushers in the entire NFL.
In the 2014 offseason, however, the Cowboys made the absolutely shocking decision to part ways with Ware, making him a cap casualty and completely shaking up 2014 NFL Free Agency. It seemingly took minutes for the Denver Broncos to get on the phone with DeMarcus Ware’s representatives, and they had him on a plane flying to Denver almost immediately to come and pair up with superstar Von Miller.
The Cowboys releasing Ware prevented the Broncos from signing free agent DE Jared Allen, who was close to joining that Denver defense before Ware became available. The Broncos pivoted their plan, got Ware in the fold, and the rest is history.
Ware’s impact in Denver was felt immediately. The Broncos went from having a disappointing defense in 2013 to being an elite defense in 2014. Not only did the defense take a huge leap forward, but Ware’s arrival in Denver was critical for the development of Von Miller, who was coming off of a torn ACL and had been suspended by the NFL the year prior. Ware’s leadership and mentorship were invaluable to Von.
By the time the 2015 season rolled around, the Denver Broncos had assembled arguably the best defense in league history. DeMarcus Ware was an absolute maniac down the stretch that season, knocking quarterbacks down left and right. His 2015 playoff run is one of the most dominant stretches of play you will ever see by an individual pass rusher, topped only perhaps by his Broncos teammate Von Miller that same year.
In the 2015 playoffs, Ware had 12 QB hits and 3.5 sacks along with 4.0 tackles for loss. He was bringing pressure on almost every snap. Just ask Tom Brady. The duo of Ware and Miller got the Patriots’ offensive line coach fired after the AFC Championship game.
Perhaps fate just dealt Ware the right hand, or perhaps the Dallas Cowboys gave up on him too early. He played three seasons in Denver, making two Pro Bowls and winning Super Bowl 50.