Perhaps but wouldn't this mean we trying to replace DLaw by committee? What about next season coz both players will likely be free agents again. It's a tough call but this is why if you spend 3-4 developing a rookie into an ELITE player, you're probably better off getting him signed to a long-term deal.
D-Law is 26. He has everything going for him. But he and his agents are foolish to think he can put off shoulder surgery and get paid like The Mack.
My advice would have been to have the surgery immediately after the season get with the Cowboys and his doctors, be in rehab, sign the franchise tag, demand a trade, and hold out for a long term deal until the last report date for season accural for either the Cowboys or another team to get a long term deal.
If the Cowboys are stupid enough not to do a long term deal for a 26 year old DE, then the Cowboys are going to continue their purgatory in mediocrity If the Cowboys are stupid enough to trade him to another team after signing the franchise tag, the Cowboys will continue the purgatory in mediocirty. D Law will go on to be successful as every other player that has left the Cowboys in the Jerry Jones minus Jimmy Johnson era (Jimmy Smith, Ron Stone, Marcus Spears, Chris Canty, Brock Marion, Dewayne Harris, Terrence Newman, Demarcus Ware, Wade Phillips, etc.)
D-Law is a 26 year old DE that can sack and whack. He is going to get a long term deal here or somewhere. But holding off from surgery and not signing the Tag delays everything to his detriment. That's my opinion.