DeMarcus Lawrence has been one of the league’s most fearsome pass-rushers in recent seasons and will be paid accordingly:
Full terms of the deal between the #Cowboys and DeMarcus Lawrence: 5 years, $105M with $65M guaranteed, source said. More money in cash than any non-QB in Year 1.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 5, 2019
Lawrence and the Cowboys have agreed to a new deal that keeps him as a core member of Dallas’ defense for the foreseeable future. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports the deal is worth $105 million and includes $65 million in guarantees. That makes it the most guaranteed cash up front in Year 1 than any non-quarterback. Impressive stuff.
And with this new contract, Lawrence entered elite contract status when he put pen to paper and signed his deal:
This average salary would make DeMarcus Lawrence the third-highest paid non-QB in the NFL, behind only Khalil Mack ($23.5M) and Aaron Donald ($22.5M). https://t.co/Uagr31aLbs
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) April 5, 2019
When Lawrence’s 5-year extension worth $100+ million officially kicks in, he’ll join Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack as the only defensive players with multi-year contracts averaging over $20 million per season
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 5, 2019
Highest #NFL Defensive AAVs
Khalil Mack: $23.5M
Aaron Donald: $22.5M
DeMarcus Lawrence: $21M
Von Miller: $19M
Trey Flowers: $18MFull List: https://t.co/SZGV1CkqeL
— Spotrac (@spotrac) April 5, 2019
The deal Lawrence signed still trails the overall guarantee Khalil Mack received ($90 million) when he signed with the Bears after the mega-deal with the Raiders went down, as well as the $70 million Von Miller was given by the Broncos. Mack and the Bears will host Lawrence and the Cowboys at some point during the 2019 season. Oh, to be a fly in the vicinity of the playing field when Mack and Lawrence get together at some point. Lawrence definitely owes Mack a dinner of his choice for raising the contract bar as high as he did.
Lawrence is in good company as far as the highest-paid players in the league. And now that it’s settled, a situation that could have been a major distraction in Cowboys camp has been avoided. HOWEVER, it’s still the Cowboys so I’m sure something will pop up.