The Dallas Cowboys have officially applied the franchise tag on defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. Lawrence, 25, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this spring. He still aims to sign a long-term deal with the Cowboys.
Following comes from the Dallas Cowboys and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Monday afternoon, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on DeMarcus Lawrence before Tuesday’s deadline to issue the one-year guaranteed tender.
Hours later, Lawrence’s agent announced on Twitter that the Pro Bowl pass rusher has signed the tender, which is worth $17.143 million, according to NFL.com.
#Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence has officially signed his franchise tag, per agent @davidcanter.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2018
I asked #Cowboys DE DeMarcus Lawrence if he has any big purchases planned after going from 1M a year to 17M with the current tag and he told me "I'm truly blessed and won't spend a dime until I get a long term deal. Priorities first=my kids."
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) March 6, 2018
He is the second defensive end to secure a franchise tag after the Lions used the same provision on Ezekiel Ansah. Lawrence celebrated the news on twitter.
Oh wow. Glad the media knows. I still haven't heard anything haha. Either way, proud to be part of the @dallascowboys organization! Let's go chase #6 ?!! #Tagged https://t.co/lteWKNNmtZ
— DeMarcus Lawrence (@TankLawrence) March 5, 2018
? Swear? https://t.co/GbH1ezkDMp
— DeMarcus Lawrence (@TankLawrence) March 5, 2018
Currently running the numbers for taxes like….. pic.twitter.com/uvjWxPZ51V
— DeMarcus Lawrence (@TankLawrence) March 5, 2018
Nothing like your family bringing you back down to reality after signing the franchise tag, and only leaving me with one slice @pizzahut when you get home!!?? #Tagged #Dadlife #FranchisePizzaParty pic.twitter.com/ne1wmGk2uO
— DeMarcus Lawrence (@TankLawrence) March 6, 2018
Lawrence was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The Boise State product didn’t come into his role until 2015 where he played 16 games and finished with 55 combined tackles, eight sacks and one forced fumble. A back injury limited him to only nine games in 2016 but Lawrence started all 16 games in 2017 and made second-team AP All-Pro. He tied for second in the NFL in sacks at 14.5, which is the highest total by a Cowboys player since DeMarcus Ware’s 15.5 in 2010.
