Cowboys' Lawrence signs $17.1M franchise tag

Demarcus Lawrence signed his one-year, $17.1-million franchise tender Monday, hours after the Dallas Cowboys placed their tag on the standout pass-rusher, his agency announced.

Lawrence is coming off a stellar season with the Cowboys, where he collected 14.5 sacks - tied for second-most in the league - and four forced fumbles in 16 contests.

His up-and-down career trajectory may have caused Dallas to hesitate about guaranteeing Lawrence significantly more money on a long-term deal, though. The 25-year-old managed just a single sack in 2016, and despite posting eight sacks in 2015, he failed to record a single one as a rookie in 2014.

Though his salary for the next year is locked in, Lawrence and the Cowboys could still negotiate an extension beyond the 2018 season in the months ahead.