Cowboys confident they'll re-sign Lawrence

The Dallas Cowboys are optimistic they'll hammer out a long-term deal with Pro Bowl defensive end and pending free agent DeMarcus Lawrence.

"We've made our first offer, and we're gonna meet with his representatives here at the combine," Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said Tuesday, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer. "I don't know about the timing, but I'm confident we can get a deal done."

Lawrence is slated to become one of the top free agents this offseason, though Dallas could use the franchise tag to keep him off the open market sans a long-term agreement.

He said after the season that he hoped to be with the with Cowboys "for the long haul."

Lawrence has posted 25 sacks over the past two campaigns, solidifying himself as one of the NFL's best pass-rushers after battling inconsistencies early in his career. He played on the franchise tag in 2018.