Another bites the dust. The Dallas Cowboys have decided to place their franchise tag on DeMarcus Lawrence shortly after the Houston Texans placed theirs on Jadeveon Clowney.
This news was first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. With both of these receiving the franchise tag, the list of pass rushers in free agency could get shorter.
Both of these guys were expected to be highly sought after in free agency. The Cowboys and Texans had other plans though.
This is the second year in a row that Lawrence has received the franchise tag—which probably doesn't bode well for the Cowboys. Just because he is tagged doesn't mean he won't be traded.
Another option could be that Lawrence decides to sit out the entire 2019 season like Le'Veon Bell did in 2018. The Cowboys have until July 15th to try and reach a long-term deal with the elite pass rusher.
If no deal is struck by the deadline it becomes a waiting game for both sides. In today's NFL, someone like Lawrence will command a ton of money.
Article Continues BelowAccording to Spotrac, Lawrence's market value is hovering at around $19.6 million. Can the Cowboys afford to keep him at the price point?
Currently, the Cowboys have around $48 million in cap space this summer but have other players they hope to re-sign besides Lawrence. Jerry Jones has made it be known that the Cowboys want to extend Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, and Amari Cooper.
All of those guys won't come cheap so tagging Lawrence could be a last-ditch effort to keep him within the organization.
The clock is now ticking for the Cowboys to get a deal done before the July 15th deadline.