DeMarcus Ware to be free agent
— -- IRVING, Texas -- DeMarcus Ware is no longer a Dallas Cowboy.
The Cowboys have released the franchise's all-time leader in sacks, saving $7.4 million against the salary cap but creating the need to find a pass rusher for a defense that struggled to get to the quarterback in 2013.
Ware put up 117 sacks in nine seasons with the Cowboys, earning Pro Bowl honors from 2006-12, but he had a career-low six sacks in 2013 and missed the first three games with a quadriceps strain. Ware, who turns 32 in July, was set to count $16.003 million against the cap with a $12.25 million base salary.
"A decision like this, involving a man who is a cornerstone player in the history of your franchise, is extremely difficult," said Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones.
The Cowboys selected Ware in the first round of the 2005 draft, No. 11 overall, and then-coach Bill Parcells made an immediate comparison to Lawrence Taylor. With Ware, the Cowboys moved to the 3-4 defense and Ware became one of the dominant pass rushers in the NFL, earning All-Pro honors six times. He had a streak of seven straight seasons with at least 11 sacks. He had 20 sacks in 2008 and 19.5 sacks in 2011. Only Hall of Famer Reggie White (five) has more 15-sack seasons in a career than Ware (three).
But with his salary and recent injury history -- he had shoulder surgery after the 2012 season and is recovering from elbow surgery this offseason -- the Cowboys decided to part ways with one of the franchise's best defensive players in history.
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