In what will come as no surprise, since the sides weren’t talking, DeMarcus Lawrence will play 2018 under the franchise tag.
Lawrence signed the $17.143 million tag in March with no substantive discussions about a long-term deal, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.
It gives the Cowboys a chance to make sure Lawrence isn’t a one-season wonder, and Lawrence a chance to live up to his proclamation that he expects to “break the bank” in free agency next year. It also gives both sides a chance to see what happens with the defensive line market, with Jadeveon Clowney, Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack also seeking long-term deals.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, citing a source, said Lawrence will not play on a second consecutive tag in 2019. The Cowboys are certain to franchise Lawrence again at $20.5 million if he has another big year and they don’t reach a deal. So this would seem to put the team on notice that Lawrence will not play the part of good solider again next offseason in the absence of a long-term deal.
Lawrence, 26, made only nine sacks his first three seasons while missing 16 games with injuries and a four-game suspension. He had 14.5 sacks last season.
The Cowboys have had three other players play under the franchise tag: Flozell Adams in 2002, Ken Hamlin in 2008 and Anthony Spencer in 2012 and ’13.
