DeMarcus Lawrence and the Dallas Cowboys don't appear close to a new contract
If you’re wondering when’s a good time for Dallas Cowboys fans to start sweating over the contract situation of DeMarcus Lawrence, the answer is probably about last week.
Representatives for the two-time Pro Bowl defensive end and Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones met in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine but don’t appear close to a new deal with the deadline to apply the franchise tag approaching fast.
The Cowboys are not close with DeMarcus Lawrence. Don't expect a deal by March 5, barring unexpected miracle offer
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) March 3, 2019
Speaking to media in Indianapolis following his meeting with Lawrence’s agent, Jones didn’t necessarily give off a ton of confidence that a deal was imminent, either.
“It certainly was complete and everybody got to say what they wanted to say," Jerry Jones said. “On things like this, you really don't know how good they were until you get it done or make a different decision.”
Lawrence was hit with the franchise tag last season and has expressed a desire to avoid a similar fate in 2019. The Cowboys have until Tuesday to decide whether or not to use the tag again if the two sides can’t work out a deal.
The 26-year-old earned just over $17 million last season and would earn about $20 million in 2019 if he’s tagged for a second consecutive year.
Lawrence has recorded 122 combined tackles, 25 sacks and six forced fumbles over the last two years, becoming one of the anchors of a Dallas defense that ranked in the top five among points allowed per game last year (20.3).
If you think the ticking clock has Jones nervous about getting a contract done, the Cowboys’ boss isn’t showing it. He expressed belief that both sides have “every incentive” to get a deal signed.
“Tuesday is a long way off,” Jones said on Saturday.
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Blake Schuster is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at blakeschuster@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
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