DeMarcus Lawrence, Cowboys far apart on contract negotiations

By Rachel Wold

·Updated: March 26, 2019

After failed contract negotiations earlier this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys placed a franchise tag on defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

Some few weeks later, it would appear the two parties are still far apart in their negotiation process, according to Stephen Jones.

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

The two-time Pro-Bowl pass rusher has since gone on to say that he won’t play for a second year on the franchise tag, which would cost the Cowboys $20.5 million.

This makes for a sticky situation if Lawrence were to hold out. He is one of Dallas’ top defensive linemen and has combined for 25 sacks, 122 total tackles and 49 quarterback hits over his past two seasons.

The Cowboys have a number of players including quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott in need of lucrative contract extensions.

Currently, the Cowboys sit with roughly $17.6 million in available salary cap space. The team has until July 15 to iron out a deal with Lawrence, who is reportedly seeking somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 million per year on a new contract.

Right now, things look to be quite stalemate.