The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero announced on social media that Carl Lawson is inking a contract with the Dallas Cowboys. Lawson most recently completed his 45-million dollar contract with the Jets.
The former Auburn product inked a three-year agreement back in 2021. Lawson’s NFL career has been robbed of its next chapter by injuries. The 29-year-old Lawson was selected with the 116th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2017 NBA Draft. He spent the first four years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals. During that run, he racked up 20 sacks, 83 quarterback hits, and 19 tackles for loss.
Although he never had a season with ten or more sacks, analysts were raving about his pressure rate and his hidden skill. After reviewing the advanced stats, the Jets concluded that he was prepared to make a big play when the time was perfect.
In the initial months of his tenure with the Jets, it appeared like they were correct. NFL Reporter Ralph Vacchiano stated on social media in August 2019 that “I can’t recall many players, or perhaps any player, having as dominating a training camp as I watched Jets DE Carl Lawson have this summer.” “It’s evident that he is a practice, but he was very fast and persistent.” The effect he could have on the Jets’ line was evident.
That spring, during a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers, Lawson tore his Achilles, so the Jets were never able to see what that version of him would look like in the regular season. Lawson never played the same way again.
In his three seasons with the Jets, he recorded seven sacks [which included the entire season he missed due to an Achilles injury]. Lawson has been a very effective pass rusher when healthy. The big man’s inability to stay on the field has been the only issue.
Another Backup Option off the Board for the Jets…
Lawson was still available for signing in mid-August for a reason. That is an additional gifted pass rusher, though, who is no longer available.
The Jets and veteran EDGE Harrison Reddick are currently embroiled in a contract dispute. Since his April debut news conference, he has not been associated with the squad, and there is little indication that this will change anytime soon.
If this drags into the regular season, the Jets might need to add another body to the room.
Only a few weeks before the season begins, free agency usually offers few options. However, the pool of viable pass-rushing alternatives seems especially small. Either New York needs to provide the necessary funding to ensure that Reddick is in the building, or it needs to start considering other possibilities.
This year, the Jets want to make a run at the Super Bowl, break their postseason drought, and contend for a championship. Despite the fact that the defense is full of outstanding players, Reddick’s contributions cannot be replicated by one player.
For Heavy.com, Paul A. Esden Jr. covers the New York Jets. He is a native of New York and co-hosts “The Manchild Show with Boy Green,” a morning program on Cumulus Media. Esden Jr. covered New York and national sports for FanSided, Elite Sports NY, and The Score 1260 before to joining Heavy in 2021.
