The Dallas Cowboys are unlikely to come to an agreement on a long-term contract for franchised defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence by Monday’s 4 pm ET deadline, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
This is consistent with an earlier report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that Lawrence is expected to play on the franchise tag worth $17 million this season. If the Cowboys choose to tag Lawrence again next season, it would be worth over $20 million.
Lawrence, 26, was a former second-round pick by the Cowboys in 2014. He’s coming off a breakout 2017 campaign as he had 14.5 sacks, which was tied for second in the league. He also showed promise in his second year, where he had eight sacks in 16 games.
However, those productive seasons have alternated with two injury-shortened years in 2014 and 2016 due to two back surgeries which have seen him miss 16 total games.
Lawrence is reportedly seeking a five-year contract that will put him at or close to the likes of Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack, and Jadevon Clowney on the elite tier of defensive lineman salaries. But with a much smaller track record for success, coupled with his concerning injury history, the Cowboys don’t seem ready to commit that type of long-term money to Lawrence this season.
Lawrence will have a chance to prove this season that he’s worth that type of money. If he produces to the high level he did last season — which he's reasonably confident he can do — his chances of getting that big contract should significantly increase next offseason.
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