Linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who spent the first nine seasons of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this off-season, and is “leaving the door open” to a potential return to Dallas.

From Adam Schefter of ESPN:

A Ware return to Dallas would boost a Cowboys pass rush that has had it’s questionable moments since Ware was released by the team and picked up by the Denver Broncos, especially in Dallas’ most recent playoff losses to the Green Bay Packers.

Speaking of the Broncos, Ware is still a huge fan of where they are at, even after not making the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl the year before. Denver still boasts one of the best defenses in the NFL, with Von Miller leading the way.

“But the thing is, I know what we have with the Denver Broncos, and you gotta go with what you have,” Ware said to NFL Network. “Play with what you got and just roll with it.”

After Ware was released by Dallas largely in-part due to salary cap complications, the Broncos were able to land Ware on a relatively cheap three-year, $30 million contract that featured $20 million guaranteed. Spotrac is projecting Ware to land a two-year, $11.8 million contract in terms of market value this off-season.

There is also several questions going forward with the Cowboys front seven. Will Sean Lee be able to stay healthy fully again, and will Randy Gregory ever play again are among the questions. Linebacker Jaylon Smith is also looking to make a miraculous comeback from a knee injury suffered in college.

The 34-year-old Ware remains Dallas’ all-time leader in sacks with 117, and is second on the NFL’s all-time active sacks list behind only Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers, who will become a free agent this off-season as well.

For comparison, the current career sacks leader on the Cowboys is Tyrone Crawford at 12.5 sacks.

Ware, a nine-time Pro Bowler, still owns a house in the Dallas area. His two children also reside in Dallas, meaning it would be a full-circle ending to a historic NFL career if Ware and the Cowboys choose to make it happen.

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