Report: DeMarcus Lawrence, Cowboys ‘aren’t even close’ in contract talks

Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said this week that the team is motivated to sign star defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to a long-term deal despite using the franchise tag on him, but it does not sound like the two sides have made much progress in contract negotiations.

While Jones said the Cowboys are at an “impasse” with Lawrence and his agents, a report from Jane Slater of NFL Network on Thursday made it sound like that is underselling it.

For context on the DeMarcus Lawrence situation, a source informed tells me #Cowboys “aren’t even close on any number” as it pertains to yearly salary and guaranteed.
What player wants? Take Von Miller’s deal, multiply by the cap growth of 22 % since 2016 & the deal is done.

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) March 28, 2019

Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr. says the Cowboys started with a long-term offer to Lawrence worth about $17 million annually and have since come up to $20 million. Lawrence is supposedly looking for somewhere between $20.5 million and $23.5 million per year, which makes sense given that Von Miller makes more than $19 million per year and Slater says he wants more than that.

Lawrence had 64 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception last season. He had 14.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 2017. He’s in a position of strength negotiating with the Cowboys in the wake of Randy Gregory’s latest suspension and David Irving saying he will retire. However, Dallas did make a major move on Thursday to bolster their defensive line.