Why Cowboys plan to wait on 2nd straight franchise tag for DeMarcus Lawrence, for now
Tuesday is the first day NFL teams can start placing the franchise tag on a prospective free agent.
Look for the Dallas Cowboys to take a wait-and-see approach with defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence before tagging him for the second straight season and potentially beginning a contentious negotiation that could result in a holdout.
The Cowboys will not place the tag on Lawrence on Tuesday, according to sources.
They will try to negotiate a long-term extension with his agent David Canter possibly until the March 5 deadline for franchise tags.
Look for the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis - Feb. 28-March 3 - to be a true line of demarcation for something to get done.
What is certain is the Cowboys have no interest in letting Lawrence hit free agency. He is a top priority and they plan to keep him at all cost.
What is also true is that Lawrence has no interest in playing under the tag for a second straight season.
He made $17.1 million under the tag in 2018 and would make $20.5 million on the tag in 2019.
After following up a breakout season in 2017 with 10.5 sacks, 39 quarterback pressures and a second straight trip to the Pro Bowl, Lawrence held up his end of the bargain and proved that he was a true franchise defensive end.
Now he wants the long-term security that comes with it on a multi-year deal possibly worth between $20.5 and $23 annually.
If not, he probably will not get the shoulder surgery he needs and plans to sit out the off-season program, mini-camp, training camp and possibly regular season games.
Let the wait commence.
This story was originally published February 18, 2019 at 11:41 AM.
