DeMarcus Lawrence’s contract extension was decided upon by the Cowboys based on the following four justifications.
Three of the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest players have contracts that are about to expire, so they have a lot of work ahead of them. In order for the team to be successful for many years to come, the front office must extend contracts for Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and eventually Micah Parsons. Although it’s difficult to discover players more important than the big three, the squad also has another player whose contract is about to expire who is nearly as valued. DeMarcus Lawrence is that person.
Despite having played in the league for ten seasons, Lawrence’s status remains uncertain. Because he never hesitates to get his hands dirty and make huge plays, some fans believe he’s one of the most underappreciated players in the game. Since they have been praising him for years, broadcasters are aware of his contributions. It’s difficult to get through a game without hearing someone compliment him on his worth.
Some view things differently. Following two consecutive seasons with double-digitsack totals, Lawrence was well-rewarded with a five-year, $105 million contract after the 2018 season. With Khalil Mack as the only higher paid edge rusher in the NFL, he was now the second highest paid player. All of a sudden, standards were increased. Since then, Lawrence has participated in five seasons, but in those five years combined, he has still amassed less total sacks than he did in the two years that enabled him to get compensation. Although others quickly point out that he is not an exceptional sack master, he is a solid player.
When Lawrence consented to a lower wage in order to stay with the team two years ago, the two parties were able to work together. It was a $40 million, three-year contract with a $30 million guarantee. The only money left over is his $10 million basic pay for the 2017 season, which the Cowboys have already paid him in full. Despite his lackluster sack totals, Lawrence is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. He is regarded as one of the game’s finest defensive ends for stopping runs, and most would
It’s very obvious that Tank, Inc. has a significant asset, regardless of when you bought stock in the company. Lawrence had indicated last week that he has no intention of laying up his cleats and may play for another five years. He will be an unrestricted free agent next year.
Some may have assumed that Lawrence would stay in Dallas for the balance of his deal before being replaced by younger players. Ultimately, they selected a defensive end capable of stopping runs in the second round of the April draft—the same round in which they took Lawrence a decade prior. But maybe staying with him a little while longer would be a better course of action. This makes sense for the following four reasons.
HE IS STILL AMAZING Lawrence has been over 30 for two years and doesn’t appear to be slowing down. That he is a fundamentalist is among the main causes of this. Don’t get me wrong, he possesses strength and athleticism, but his skill set is so well-honed that he can use it to his advantage and achieve amazing outcomes. Every time, Lawrence has a strategy. How many times have we witnessed him swerve unharmed into the backfield? He attacks the ball carrier with aggression, is quick off the snap, and has excellent play awareness. He is skilled with his hands. He constantly attacks the blocker’s hands with the cross chop and counter club, using his strength and speed to knock opponents off balance.
HE IS STRONG. Remarkably, this individual was once considered to be prone to injuries. That’s because he had health issues early in his career. For him, back problems and broken feet have definitely been challenges. In two of his first three seasons in the league, he missed the better part of the season. It’s not a good beginning. But in six of the previous seven years, would you believe that Lawrence has actually played a full season? And over the course of the previous two and a half seasons, that includes 40 straight games. Although injuries may occur, Lawrence has remarkably been able to play for the majority of the last few years. I mean, for crying out loud, his nickname is Tank. He is the perfect example.
A HIGH-CHARACTER PERSON It’s absurd to consider that Lawrence was previously thought to be a character flaw, but that is exactly what happened. It could be a major factor in why he came within a hair’s breadth of the 2014 NFL draft. Lawrence did not have a path full of sunshine and rainbows. Due to academic difficulties, he was forced to play for Butler Community College, which he highlights in his game intros. He had several suspensions from Boise State for misbehaving and breaking team rules. Back in 2014, you couldn’t read a draft profile without someone pointing out that scouts would have to look into his character.
Those days are long gone since, except from a four-game suspension in 2016 for using illegal substances while recovering from an injury, he has been nothing but trouble-free. In fact, he was nominated for Walter Payton Man of the Year last year. Lawrence has come a long way. He plays with laser-sharp focus, is more patient, and knows what needs to be done to finish the task. He is one of the team’s most outspoken leaders. Any locker room would be happy to have him switch up his intensity from being a menacing pass rusher who steals hearts to a calm leader of men.