Photo courtesy of Jack Kurzenknabe.
A week later, changes have been made. Last week both Defensive Linemen DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory were on the Dallas Cowboys despite having issues with the franchise. Lawrence and the Cowboys seem to have solved their problem, but Gregory now plays for the Denver Broncos.
Lawrence declined the Cowboys suggestion of him taking a pay cut. The sides cleared things up with Lawrence signing a new $40 million deal, $30 million guaranteed, per Charean Williams’ NBC Sports article. Coming close to agreeing to a five year $70 million deal with the Cowboys, Gregory chose to join the Broncos who offered him the same said ESPN Senior Writer Jeff Legwold in his article.
From the article, Legwold explains the situation. Gregory and the Cowboys were set on the deal, and Gregory was to remain a Dallas Cowboy. Then things took a turn when the Cowboys re-met with Gregory to discuss new additions to the contract that were to his disliking.
Legwold said the Cowboys added the invalidation of Gregory’s contract “if fined/suspended for any drug offense or violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.” Gregory’s past off the field issues looks like the main cause for this. The Cowboys have also said the clause is in all their player’s contracts besides that of starting quarterback Dak Prescott.
“No other teams have that language in their contracts,” Mike Florio quoted Gregory’s agent, Peter Schaffer, in his Yahoo Sports article. “Never in 30 years have I seen that language.” Florio adds that Schaffer also said Gregory did not like the clause. Schaffer requested the Cowboys remove it, but they decided not to do so. Upon this decision, Gregory moved on to Denver.
On ESPN’s First Take sports show, Stephen A. Smith and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo talked about the Gregory and Dallas situation. One point Russo brought up was the Cowboys loyalty to Gregory even though he has not played much for Dallas because of off the field issues. One point Smith brought up was that Gregory was smart to go to Denver.
Though the Cowboys have stayed loyal to Gregory by keeping him around despite his mishaps, the way they approached him comes off as untrustworthy and offensive. Gregory seemed to have moved on from his past, looking to contribute full time to the Dallas defense with a good year last season.
I do understand the Cowboys wanting to ensure that their investment in Gregory remained safe. However, it's clear to see why Gregory took offense to the Cowboys’ actions. Denver showed that they have his best interest at heart.
As a fan, I’m sad to see Gregory leave. I’d like to thank him for his service to the Cowboys. When on the field, he made plays that showed a promising future coming his way. More importantly, he looks like he has made great improvements as a person. I hope his career with the Broncos is long, successful, and that his life stays on the greatly changed path it’s currently on.