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DeMarcus Lawrence’s future with the Dallas Cowboys is reportedly in doubt.
According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, Lawrence could be a candidate for release after turning down an off-season pay cut. In 2022, he will earn $19 million, which will be the second highest salary on the team.
A two-time pro bowler, Lawrence spent his entire eight-year career in Dallas. In 2021, he was limited to seven games after undergoing surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal.
Watkins cited the Cowboys’ release of future Hall of Famer linebacker DeMarcus Ware in 2014 after he turned down a pay cut as a potential reason Lawrence could suffer the same fate.
Lawrence isn’t the only player Dallas needs to tackle this offseason. Wide receiver Amari Cooper, who should be guaranteed $20 million if he’s on the March 20 list, will likely be released to make room for the cap, according to ESPN. Adam Shefter. It’s another difficult decision that the Cowboys have to make this offseason.
“We just need to make some decisions,” said Executive Vice President Stephen Jones. “Some difficult ones, but I think those are, unfortunately, if we lose a couple of good players, then hopefully we continue to do well with our draft process and look for value in free agents so we can pick the way we have historically. drawn up not out of necessity, but according to the principle of the best available player.
Even though no double-digit sacks have been recorded since 2018, Lawrence is still considered a high-level player. If the 29-year-old enters the open market, Watkins noted that he is likely to receive high salaries from teams that need to improve their passing rush.