NFC East Notes: Cowboys, Eagles, Giants

Cowboys

Cowboys VP Stephen Jones admitted contract talks have stalled between the team and DE Demarcus Lawrence.

“Right now, the best way to describe it is we’re at an impasse,” Jones said via the Athletic’s Calvin Watkins. “We’re apart. But certainly optimistic. No one thinks more of DeMarcus Lawrence than we do. He represents what we want on our football team, in terms of the way he plays the game. He certainly plays it at a high level. We’ll continue to chop wood.”

The Cowboys have reportedly offered Lawrence a six-year deal that would average $20.5 million per season after initially not wanting to go that high. 

Lawrence meanwhile has increased his ask to $22.5 million per season while indicating he will delay his shoulder surgery and not report to training camp as long as he’s under the franchise tag.  

“We’re going to continue to try to move the ball forward and see if there is some common ground we can find,” Jones said. “I’m certainly not going to draw any lines in the sand, and we haven’t. No bright lines so far. We’ve just been apart. Hopefully, we can continue to come up with some creative ways to maybe create some common ground.”

• According to Bob McGinn, WR Randall Cobb‘s deal includes a $2 million signing bonus, a $2 million guaranteed base salary and $1 million in per-game roster bonuses. 
• S George Iloka‘s one-year deal includes a base salary of $930,000, $210,000 guaranteed, and $90,000 in bonus money.  Iloka has a cap hit of $735,000. (Todd Archer)
• Cowboys G Zack Martin received the final amount of the $40 million he was guaranteed when he signed his extension last year. Martin now has $8 million of his $11 million 2020 base salary fully guaranteed. (Todd Archer)

Eagles

Eagles’ owner Jeffrey Lurie confirmed that the team considered using the franchise tag on QB Nick Foles in order to prevent him from signing with the Giants or Redskins, per Mike Garafolo. 

“We were really hoping he wouldn’t end up with the Giants or Redskins,” said Lurie, via Zack Rosenblatt.

• Lurie added that using the franchise tag on Foles “wasn’t the right thing to do” because of the quarterbacks’ desire to lead a team. (Eliot Shorr-Parks)
• Regarding a possible contract extension for QB Carson Wentz, Lurie said he would “absolutely” comfortable if that occurred this offseason, despite Wentz’s injuries over the last two years. (Dave Zangaro) 
• Lurie went on to say that they have planned to re-sign Wentz “for a few years” and believe they have their franchise quarterback: “We’ve planned for this for a few years. All of our planning is in place. The blueprint is always: can you find a franchise quarterback? … we’re very very lucky to have someone like Carson.” (Zack Rosenblatt) 
• As for the possibility of drafting a quarterback in the 2019 NFL Draft, Lurie said he would like the Eagles to select a QB at least “every other year.” (Zach Rosenblatt) 

Giants

Giants GM Dave Gettleman said the team is set up to take the best player available regardless of position at No. 6 overall in the draft. 

“My theory on free agency is: If you do it right, it puts you in position where you can take the best player available in the draft,” Gettleman said NJ.com’s Ryan Dunleavy. “You’re not in a situation where I have to have a (certain position) and then fill in the blank. You don’t want to be there. So I think we’ve done that, and you’re still nibbling around the edges … seeing who is still available.”

That means the Giants could pass on a quarterback with their first pick, as Gettleman maintains QB Eli Manning still has something left in the tank, even if it’s not much.  

“Eli is still a quality NFL quarterback,” Gettleman said. “It wears me out, it really does. Obviously he’s 38 years old. … Anyhow, the bottom line is yes have to address it. It’s reality. So when the time is right we will.”

• ESPN’s Jordan Raanan continues to get the sense the Giants will focus on addressing their pass rush with their first pick at No. 6.  
• Raanan reports it’s unlikely the Giants trade for Cardinals QB Josh Rosen after passing on him last year.  And while the team has shown interest in Duke QB Daniel Jones and Missouri QB Drew Lock, potential options at No. 17, Raanan says the Giants could wait another year to draft a quarterback.