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Despite the fact that the Dallas Cowboys are entering their 13th season of calling AT&T Stadium their home building, there is still one member who was on the team this past year who played in their previous venue. Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur hiked footballs back under the hole in the roof at Texas Stadium, and has been doing so at an elite level from day one of his career. Ladouceur has played in a lot of games throughout his time in the NFL, the most ever by a Canadian by the way, and there have been many wondering whether he will play a 17th season in the league.
There has been a lot of turnover within the Cowboys organization during Ladouceur’s time with the club. Consider that he has played for head coaches Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett, and now Mike McCarthy.
It appears that he may want to keep the party going.
L.P. Ladouceur is reportedly planning on playing in 2021, Sean Lee is still undecided
There has been a bit of a youth movement on the Cowboys roster for the last few seasons now, but Ladouceur has managed to fight off any younglings challenging for his spot snapping for some of the game’s most important moments.
According to the Dallas Morning News, it seems that Ladouceur wants some more and plans on returning to the NFL for a 17th season. Sean Lee remains undecided, although we are still in February to be fair.
Hearing Sean Lee still working through continuing playing or retiring. LP Ladouceur, 16-year vet entering free agency, plans on returning in 2021 and Maurice Canady (remember him? he opted out last year) is staying in shape. No word if he plans on playing in 2021.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 23, 2021
Both Ladouceur and Lee are pending free agents which means if they want to play for the Dallas Cowboys, or anyone else for that matter, they will have to be signed to new deals. It shouldn’t break the bank for Dallas to sign either one in 2021, consider the cap hits they played at last year:
- L.P. Ladouceur, $887.5k
- Sean Lee, $1M
The nature of the linebacker position is obviously a more crucial one for the Cowboys to figure out. While Lee is an important player to consider, the Cowboys also have to decide whether or not they want to pick up Leighton Vander Esch’s fifth-year option and if they are prepared to move on from Jaylon Smith.
It is clear that L.P. Ladouceur can still perform his job at the NFL level while Sean Lee is inhibited by Father Time. There is a an argument for each, a stronger one for Ladouceur, and we will have to see what Dallas ends up doing with their longtime veterans.