The Cowboys asked DeMarcus Lawrence to take a pay cut, but he refused. However, the sides agreed on a deal that will lower Lawrence’s 2022 cap hit and give him additional guaranteed money.
Dallas and Lawrence agreed to terms on a three-year, $40MM deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. This contract comes with $30MM fully guaranteed, a positive development for Lawrence, who is coming off an injury-limited season.
Lawrence’s cap hit will drop from its previously steep perch ($27MM), giving Dallas more space. The 2022 number will drop to $14MM, Todd Archer of ESPN tweets. The Cowboys will run into a similar situation in 2023, when Lawrence’s cap figure vaults to $26MM. Dallas included a void year (2025) to spread out the cap hit.
This agreement will also benefit the Pro Bowl edge rusher in his early 30s. The guarantees from his previous five-year, $105MM contract only ran through the 2021 season. With Randy Gregory free to negotiate with other teams, the Cowboys have at least ensured their cornerstone defensive end will be back.
It appeared Dallas had balked when Lawrence refused to take a pay cut, but this compromise will bump the NFC East champs’ cap space north from its present $15MM-plus place. The Cowboys have already shipped out Amari Cooper‘s five-year, $100MM contract — a deal that had a nonguaranteed three years and $60MM remaining — and let Cedrick Wilson defect to the Dolphins. The team is set to cut or trade La’el Collins.
Lawrence, 30 in April, missed 10 games after suffering a foot injury ahead of Dallas’ Week 2 game. He finished the season with just three sacks, marking the former second-round pick’s third straight season with fewer than seven sacks. The Cowboys franchise-tagged Lawrence twice, during a period in which he made two Pro Bowls, but extended him in 2019. This marks the third long-term contract Lawrence has signed with the Cowboys.
Confused on this signing
What’s confusing about it? Lawrence had a 27 million dollar cap hit that Dallas had to lower. Easiest way to lower it is to sign him to an extension and spread the money out over the years of the contract.
Man, if he has any healthy years left, that’s a song of a deal for Dallas.
I totally understand. They asked for a cut in pay to reduce his cap hit? His refusal put ownership in another method to cut that cap number. This contract does just that and keeps a high caliber player. Dallas like every team is clearing books one way or another. Dallas can’t keep everyone on the roster as players demand more and more money. Dont blame them but its not sustainable as a team with a cap.
Not worth it
Don’t be jealous
It’s truly amazing how dumb Jerry is.
You don’t make the money Jerry Jones has by being dumb.
Another brilliant move brought to you by the “brain trust” of the Dallas Cowboys. Jerrah and Junior just can’t quit their “homegrown” guys. Lawrence showed up big time in his contract years and is AWOL every other. Jerry’s “war daddy” would never have got anything close to this on the open market. Can’t wait for those 3-5 sacks next season…
Sure, he took a $7 million dollar a year hair cut, but the guaranteed $$$ is the key. Now the Cowboys or someone else will have to pay him for 2 plus years. Smart on DeMarcus!
$21 million a year unguarenteed was vaporware…..