Demarcus Lawrence addresses Randy Gregory contract drama
Demarcus Lawrence recently inked a long-term payday with the Cowboys, but in a wild series of events that unfolded last week, Randy Gregory departed Dallas via free agency.
The Dallas Cowboys appeared to agree on a new contract with Gregory early Tuesday morning, but hours later he ended up with the Denver Broncos. ESPN’s Ed Werder revealed that language “standard” to the organization, but not commonly found elsewhere, led to the change of plans.
“Source says the salary forfeiture language Cowboys include in player contracts that led Randy Gregory to abruptly sign with Broncos is standard to them but not commonly used by other teams,” Werder tweeted Tuesday as information continued to come out.
The duo of Lawrence and Gregory have been a staple for the Dallas Cowboys’ defense in recent years — and last year with the help of new talent — were able to shine in a major way.
Demarcus Lawrence recently addressed the situation between the organization and Gregory.
“Actually, me and my boys were in the weight room lifting weights [on Tuesday] morning, and we get the news that Randy is going to sign back with us, so we’re all in there crunk,” Lawrence said, referencing first hearing Gregory was coming back to Dallas.
But then, like the rest of the sports world, Demarcus Lawrence heard the news that his fellow pass rusher had suddenly flipped to the Denver Broncos. He clearly stunned and disappointed.
“But then I got in the car and I’m driving home, and my agent [David Canter] is like, ‘Damn, bro. We lost Randy,” Lawrence added. “And I’m like, ‘Man, what you talking about?’, and he’s like, ‘Man, he’s going to Denver.’ I’m like, ‘Huh? I could’ve sworn they just told me Randy is upstairs signing his contract. You gotta be kidding me.'”All this craziness with free agency. … All I can say is best of luck to Randy. I appreciate the friendship and the teammate that he is, and being able to play with him all those years — I just wish him the best and I’m glad he got paid.”
DeMarcus Lawrence on initial offer from the Cowboys: ‘It was disrespectful’
The Dallas Cowboys selected DeMarcus Lawrence in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He has been a big part of the defense in Dallas ever since. But as the two sides discussed a new contract this offseason, things were anything but smooth.
Lawrence was franchise tagged in 2019, and then signed a five-year, $105 million contract that included $65 million in total guarantees, locking him up through the 2023 season. But this offseason, the Cowboys began negotiations on a restructured deal with Lawrence.
According to Demarcus Lawrence, the initial number given to him by the Cowboys was “disrespectful.” It even made the longtime Cowboys’ defender request his release during negotiations.
“[Stephen Jones] sent me over a number and I’m like, ‘What is this sh**, bro’?” said Lawrence. “Why are y’all sitting here playing with me. You don’t want to know [the number] man, it’s disrespectful. … I feel like it was disrespectful. I told them like, ‘Hey man. The Cowboys have done a lot for me and I thank y’all for everything y’all done, but I think it’s time for us to part ways and I wish for y’all to cut me.’”
When Stephen Jones was negotiating with Lawrence, he told the star defensive end that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones likely wouldn’t like Lawrence’s number. Lawrence responded by saying that he has earned every penny that he has gotten. And when it came to his contract, Lawrence made sure to remind the Cowboys that he was helping them out by restructuring his deal.
“Stephen was like, ‘Alright, I’m about to bring your offer to Jerry to see what he says, but I’m pretty sure he’s gonna be pissed about it because he just gave you $65 million,’” Lawrence added. “My response was, “He ain’t give me shit. I earned it. Feel me? So if Jerry wants to keep me here, he has to understand this is what I’m worth, and I’m actually showing love and helping y’all out by offering y’all the relief in cap space.
“‘So let’s go out here and have a fruitful free agency and pick up the guys we need in order to win a Super Bowl. Because if I’m not getting this number, I won’t be here to help.’ Jerry was like, ‘Shoot, D-Law has been faithful to us for the last seven or eight years, give him his money. Jerry came in and got it straight.’
Wow. That’s about as behind-the-scenes as any player is ever going to reveal. Demarcus Lawrence laid it all out on the table and is back with Dallas.