DeMarcus Ware won't be returning to the Dallas Cowboys this year. He also won't be going back to the Denver Broncos. In fact, there are 30 other teams that Ware won't be playing for, either. After 12 seasons that should earn him quick entry to the Hall of Fame, DeMarcus Ware has retired from the NFL.
Ware announced his retirement earlier today through social media. The message had all of the class and style that you've come to expect from one of the league's best human beings:
It's time …. pic.twitter.com/qlXpcNn12b
The talk of DeMarcus Ware returning to the Cowboys was strong over the last few weeks. We discussed it in detail just a few days back. However, as he said in his announcement, DeMarcus is ready to put football behind him.
Ware's 138.5 career sacks leave him at eighth on the NFL's all-time list. He is part of a tight group with superstars like Jason Taylor, Michael Strahan, and Julius Peppers, all separated by less than five sacks.
There is no congestion when it comes to DeMarcus Ware's place in Cowboys history. The 117 sacks he posted from 2005-2013 has him at the top of the team's all-time leaders. Jim Jeffcoat is second with 94.5 sacks and Greg Ellis is third with 77 sacks.
Among active Cowboys, Tyrone Crawford is the leader with a whopping 12.5 career sacks. It's safe to say that Ware's status as the all-time leader won't be going away anytime soon.
Along with his incredible sack totals, Ware's career including the following accolades:
- 9 Pro Bowls
- Two-time NFL sack leader in a single season
- Defensive Player of the Year in 2008
- Four-time 1st Team All Pro
- Three-time 2nd Team All Pro
While we all wish it would have happened in Dallas, Ware topped off his career with a Super Bowl Championship in 2015 while playing for the Broncos. If he wasn't a first-ballot Hall of Fame player already that championship should seal the deal.
If the Cowboys were hoping for a reunion with DeMarcus Ware, they will now have to look elsewhere. Other veteran defensive ends such as Connor Barwin, Dwight Freeney, and Chris Long are available. We have yet to hear of any of these free agents being in contact with Dallas.
That next step will come in the future. For now, Cowboys Nation should look back and appreciate the incredible career of DeMarcus Ware. He was the best pass rusher in Dallas history and perhaps is certainly in the conversation as our best defensive player of all time.
We here at Inside The Star wish him all the best in his next chapter.
