Did the Dallas Cowboys plan on taking these calculated offseason risks?
Did the Cowboys know they could cut Lawrence after previous contract negotiations?
Regarding the DeMarcus Lawrence situation the Cowboys are currently facing, this one looks like more of a monetary issue rather than a problem with his production and health. Previously, Dallas and Lawrence were in a bitter contract negotiation that Dallas ended up publicly losing to Lawrence and his camp.
In 2021, the front office saw that when Lawrence was out for nine games, the team was still able to generate a high amount of pressure. This made Lawrence more expendable than in previous years. Now, the re-emergence of Randy Gregory and the help of Dorance Armstrong are allowing the Cowboys to take another calculated risk by cutting Lawrence.
When I look at Demarcus Lawrence, I see a guy that got paid real well and then set up a hammock and relaxed in it.
— Hoboken Squat Cobbler (@canyoudugit8) January 14, 2022
I really don’t respect his game or give a fuck what he thinks.
Look at his stats and guess his contract year.😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/eXaWMYbaPZ
An argument can be made for Lawrence that it’s not all about the stats, but rather about the attention he commands from offenses. That is true, but during his time out with an injury teams still weren’t able to handle the Cowboys’ pressure thanks in part to the playcalling from Quinn. Quinn’s schemes gave Dallas four pass-rushers that had more sacks and pressures than Lawrence. That success looks to have the Cowboys taking the risk in cutting him in an effort to keep Gregory and Armstrong. The front office did try to ask Lawrence to take a pay cut, but the edge rusher declined. This likely means the Cowboy is on his way out.
Cutting Lawrence saves: $19 million