Cowboys Plan To Place Franchise Tag On DeMarcus Lawrence

When you rack up 15.5 sacks in one-year, odds are that you’re going to be rewarded with a hefty payday. Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence will receive a huge raise because of his breakout 2017 season. The only bad news is he may just have to wait to receive a contract extension. The 5th year pro from Boise State will receive the franchise tag sometime within the next few days.

David Moore of the Dallas Morning News reported the following:

“Cowboys will not place franchise tag on DeMarcus Lawrence tomorrow as that window opens but will do so by March 6 w/ understanding the goal is to reach a long-term deal. Both sides have until July 16 to make that happen.”

Dallas doesn’t have a ton of cap space to work with and tagging Lawrence will essentially whip out their cap space. Dallas hasn’t had a defensive end quite like Lawrence since the days of DeMarcus Ware. Lawrence was taken in the 2nd in 2014 and really only produced this year. Lawrence has battled suspensions before but the Cowboys couldn’t afford to lose their only talented defensive end.

David Canter, the agent for Lawrence, had this to say last week:

“It’s really up to them to want to do a deal that’s in line with what the market is for a young, ascending, elite franchise-caliber defensive end. Whatever that number ends up being remains to be seen. But I do imagine and believe that we’ll have multiple conversations over the next month or so. I think it’s early right now.”

It’s hard to envision a long-term deal getting worked out as Dallas will want to prove he’s not just a one-year wonder.