The deadline for NFL teams to place franchise tags on players isn’t until Tuesday, March 5th, but it seems like the Cowboys have already made up their mind. They’re reportedly tagging DeMarcus Lawrence for the second year in a row.
Source: The #Cowboys are franchise tagging star pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 4, 2019
As mentioned, Lawrence played on the tag last season for a value of $17M. If he were to do it again, something he’s said he’s not willing to do for what it’s worth, it would be north of $20M. That’s a lot of money.
Again, Lawrence has said that he won’t sign a second franchise tag, but that doesn’t mean that this is bad. Free agency begins next week and the Cowboys obviously have no intention of losing their star pass rusher, they just aren’t on the same page right now in terms of a new deal. They needed time and they are buying some for themselves.
Get ready for a lot more contract talk concerning DeMarcus Lawrence as this could stretch into mid-July. Based on this report we know one thing, DeMarcus Lawrence isn’t going anywhere.