Demarcus Lawrence is Stealing Money

Demarcus Lawrence, Cowboys DE (Photo by Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Demarcus Lawrence is stealing money.

This sounds like clickbait, so I guess I should provide some context. In the 2019 offseason, Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence signed a five-year, $105 million dollar contract extension with $65 million guaranteed. According to Mike Garafolo, Lawrence “[got] the most money in Year 1 for a defensive player ever.”

Many believed that Lawrence was well worth that contract, as he was coming off two back to back solid seasons (14.5 sacks in 2017 and 10.5 sacks in 2018) and he seemed to have boundless potential… but that appears to be wrong. Just one year later, it’s clear that he’s not good enough to justify this contract.

Even though the man they nicknamed “Tank,” made more than any other defensive end in the NFL in 2019 he didn’t come anywhere close to playing like it. He finished the season with 45 total tackles and five sacks. Those numbers were good enough to tie him for 270th in tackles and 74th in the league in sacks. Lawrence makes money comparable to his draftmates Aaron Donald and Khalil Mack, but his production is nowhere close to theirs as he only has 39 career sacks, to their 75.5 and 63 respectively.

Baker Mayfield (#6) celebrating Browns' TD with Lawrence looking on (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

This season looks to be more of the same for Lawrence, as his Dallas Cowboys defense is arguably the worst defense in the NFL. Through only four games, they have allowed 146 points to be scored on them, the most in the NFL. Teams who play them average 430.5 yards per game, the third-worst mark in the NFL. The best player on the Dallas defense is Aldon Smith, who has been out of the league for FIVE years due to suspensions. (Side note: Even though it’s early in the season, Smith is playing spectacularly, picking up where he left off before his suspension). This season Lawrence has ZERO sacks, ZERO quarterback hits, ZERO knockdowns, ZERO hurries, one tackle for loss, and one pressure. He is not making a positive impact on the defense at all. Throughout his career, even when Lawrence struggled rushing the passer he was always a good run defender, but this season even that’s not working out, as the Cowboys allow 172.5 rushing yards to opposing teams.

Screenshot from spotrac.com

But Dallas has to keep paying him, as they can’t get out of that contract until at least 2022, even though that decision would leave them with $19 million in dead cap space. If Lawrence wants another chance at a contract that’s decent at a minimum, he’s going to have to play better.

Demarcus Lawrence is stealing money. Tank is tanking. He’s got to step it up.