Dallas Cowboys: Big contract decisions taking center stage

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after their 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 17: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys walks off the field after their 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders during their NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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As the Dallas Cowboys enter an offseason pivotal to their playoff future, major contract decisions on key players takes center stage.

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is pressured by David Irving #95 and Terrell McClain #97 of the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is pressured by David Irving #95 and Terrell McClain #97 of the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

The Dallas Cowboys top priority in dealing with expiring contracts of key players naturally involves DeMarcus Lawrence (DE). Lawrence tied for 2nd in sacks (14.5) in the NFL this past season. He also led the team in the category in two of the past three seasons.

Last February owner Jerry Jones said he was on the hunt for a “War Daddy” pass rusher. Lawrence responded to the challenge with a Pro Bowl season. Retaining his services can easily be done with the franchise tag. However, the 2018 projected cost of $17.4 million would increase his 2017 cap hit by nearly $16 million.

Not only does the cost skyrocket, but Dallas would find themselves back making the same decision a year from now. The right play here would be to sign Lawrence to an extension. Dole out a hefty bonus and backload the high base salaries to lower the cost in the first two years.

Lawrence’s escalating costs would be better absorbed in a few years when other big contracts leave the books (Dez Bryant, Sean Lee, Tyrone Crawford).

IRVING A RISK/REWARD DILEMMA?

Another pass rusher the Cowboys will strive to retain is defensive tackle David Irving.

The question becomes at what cost. For an interior nuisance with 11.5 sacks over his last 10 starts, Irving cost a measly $470k last season.

While utterly dominant in stretches, he also was suspended four games last season and missed the last four games with lingering concussion symptoms.

Being a restricted free agent, Dallas has a big decision to make when deciding his tender offer.

It will cost roughly $4 million to offer a first round tender. Which means if another team wants to poach him away, they’d surrender a first round draft pick if Dallas refused to match their contract offer.

Since the second round tender is only $1 million less, I’d assume the Cowboys will extend the first round bid. His production alone is worthy of $4 million.

If they go lower it would signal management has real concerns with his other issues. They may try to dangle him as bait to snag a top 60 pick before he leaves next year.