DeMarcus Lawrence playing the ‘waiting game’ with the Cowboys on new deal

Since placing the franchise tag on Pro Bowl defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, there has been little movement between him and the Dallas Cowboys toward a long-term deal.

It has presented the notion that things could help toward Lawrence playing out the 2018 season with a long-term extension in place. According to Calvin Watkins of The Athletic, the 26-year-old is reportedly waiting on to see some of the league’s best pass rushers receive on their next contracts that are expected at some point this offseason.

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The question comes down to his true worth. A source tells The Athletic Lawrence is seeking a five-year deal, and he’s playing the waiting game. There is an expectation the two sides will talk next week in an attempt to get things going.

He’s also waiting for three very accomplished pass-rushers to get their new deals: Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald, and Jadeveon Clowney are all eligible and will make a ton of money very soon.

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There is still no clarity in terms of what type of deal each of these three Pro Bowlers will receive, but it’s certain to push up the market value for Lawrence. It could make things less complicated between both sides but it may also clear it up in terms of how much it would take to work out a new extension.

Lawrence is coming off his breakout season where he recorded a career-high 14.5 sacks that helped him his first Pro Bowl selection and a Second-Team All-Pro. It also made him just the third player in franchise history to record at least 14.0 sacks in a single season joining DeMarcus Ware and Jim Jeffcoat to reach that mark.

With the deadline quickly approaching in less than two weeks, there should be a clear game plan in terms of what the Cowboys plan to do with their rising star defensive end.