In a move that encapsulates the NFL’s “what have you done for me lately” ethos, the Dallas Cowboys have released veteran linebacker Damone Clark, just one day after a dominant defensive showing against the Las Vegas Raiders. The timing is brutal, but the message is clear: the front office’s aggressive defensive remake is complete, and sentimentality has no place in it.
1. The Business of Winning: Why Clark Became Expendable
Damone Clark wasn’t just a roster-filler; he was a key starter who logged a career-high 109 tackles just two seasons ago. His release is a direct result of the Cowboys’ frantic, yet strategic, efforts to fix one of the league’s worst defenses (ranked 31st).
The transformation of the inside linebacker room has been swift and decisive:
The Trade: Acquiring proven veteran Logan Wilson from the Bengals provided immediate stability and a high-floor starter.
The Return: The unexpected early activation of DeMarvion Overshown from a devastating knee injury injected dynamic, young talent back into the lineup.
The Depth: With Kenneth Murray Jr., promising rookie Shemar James, and Marist Liufau, the position shifted from a glaring weakness to a crowded, competitive unit.
Clark, despite his past contributions, was the odd man out in this new-look corps.
2. The Human Element: A Harsh Reality Check
The news was delivered just 24 hours after Clark likely celebrated a team win. Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer’s words to Clark, as reported by The Dallas Morning News, underscore the difficult nature of the business: “I told him your career is just getting started. Sometimes change is good… this gives Damone a chance to find a new home.”
While Schottenheimer’s sentiment is genuine, it doesn’t soften the blow of being cut from the team that drafted you, especially after a victory where the unit you were once a cornerstone of finally found its footing.
3. The Bigger Picture: Dallas is All-In on the Reset
This move isn’t just about trimming the roster; it’s a declaration. By releasing Clark, the Cowboys are fully committing to their new defensive identity. They are betting that the combination of Wilson’s experience, Overshown’s upside, and the young depth will be the catalyst to salvage their 3-5-1 season and make an unlikely playoff push.
The performance against the Raiders—holding them to 16 points—offered a glimpse of that potential. Clark’s release signals the front office believes that performance is repeatable with the new personnel, not a one-off fluke.
The release of Damone Clark is a cold but calculated business decision. For the Dallas Cowboys, it represents the final turn of the page on a struggling defense, a necessary ruthlessness in their quest for relevance. For Clark, it’s a painful end to his tenure in Dallas, but his proven track record as a reliable tackler will likely grant him another opportunity elsewhere. In the NFL, the mission to win always trumps loyalty, and the Cowboys have made their priority abundantly clear.
