Details on the contract negotiations between DeMarcus Lawrence and the Dallas Cowboys have been revealed.
Lawrence was franchise-tagged by the Cowboys earlier this month, marking his second straight year being tagged. Though he stands to be paid handsomely for the 2019 season if he were to sign his tender, Lawrence is instead seeking a long-term contract for the financial security that comes with such a deal.
On Tuesday, Cowboys exec Stephen Jones said the two sides were at an “impasse” despite being motivated to get a deal done.
Stephen Jones on DeMarcus Lawrence negotiations: “We’re motivated to get something done & hopefully at some point we’ll get some momentum going. Right now, the best way to describe it is we’re at an impasse. We’re apart. But certainly optimistic…We’ll continue to chop wood.”
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 26, 2019
On Wednesday, longtime Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr shared details regarding the negotiations. He says the Cowboys’ first offer to Lawrence started at $17 million and the team has since come up to $20 million. Hill says the range for Lawrence is between $20.5-$23.5 million and that the lineman is looking to meet in the middle.
Understand this about the DeMarcus Lawrence impasse with the Cowboys. $20.5 million annually has always been the floor with $23.5m as the ceiling. Cowboys first offer was an insulting $17m and they have come up to $20m. It has always been about meeting in the middle. 21-22m ?
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 27, 2019
Lawrence racked up 64 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception last season. He had 14.5 sacks and four forced fumbles the year before. He says his stats weren’t as good the two prior seasons because he battled injuries.
The Cowboys have never been shy about paying their top players when they’ve earned pay raises, so there is reason to believe something will get done. Another factor in Lawrence’s favor is that the demand for his services has gone up due to Randy Gregory’s suspension and David Irving’s retirement plans.
