FRISCO, Texas (105.3 The Fan) DeMarcus Lawrence and the Dallas Cowboys have agreed to a five-year, $105 million contract extension with $65 million guaranteed, according to league sources.
The star defensive end known as "Tank" had expressed both optimism about the negotiating process, though he was saddled with the franchise tag for 2019.
"They know where I want to be,'' Lawrence said. "I got big goals, not just for me but us as a team and as an organization. I love being a Cowboy."
Lawrence played under a franchise tag in 2018 that paid him $17.1 million. There was a sort of understanding that Dallas wouldn't leave him hanging that way again, and through some tumultuous negotiations that threatened to do just that, feathers were ruffled. One key: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones referred to Lawrence as if he would be a "depreciating'' asset should the player choose to continue to delay his shoulder surgery while using that delay as a negotiating tool.
But now? The 26-year-old, who last year delivered a second straight double-digit sack season and a Pro Bowl effort, can move onto the surgery, which figures to carry with it a three- to four-month recovery period, and be fully ready to terrorize QBs again in 2019.
Dallas selected Lawrence in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft after trading up, personnel boss Will McClay pushing for the move by pounding the table and labeling Lawrence "a QB hunter.'' It was the start of a process and a policy of "draft 'em, develop 'em and pay 'em'' that has worked with a trio of star Cowboys offensive lineman ... and now carries over to the D-line as well. Lawrence registered 14.5 sacks in 2017 and 10.5 this past season while playing through injury.
In 2019, he'll play left end, and newly acquired Robert Quinn will line up at right end, giving Dallas bookends of credentialed standouts along the line.
By Mike Fisher