A dominant season didn't earn DeMarcus Lawrence a long-term contract from the Cowboys.
A second one should.
There was no last-second intrigue at The Star Monday afternoon. The club was willing to let the deadline pass without signing Lawrence to a new contract. The defensive end has no problem accepting his $17.143 million to play under the franchise tag.
Would Lawrence have preferred the security of a long-term deal? Sure. What athlete wouldn't?
But unlike those who have come before him -- please see Dez Bryant in 2015 -- Lawrence doesn't view the franchise tag as an insult.