CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 29: Carl Lawson #58 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at Paul Brown Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
(Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Joe Douglas and the New York Jets have signed former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Carl Lawson to a three-year, $45 million deal.

Robby Sabo

First, Davis & Davis decided to make Florham Park, NJ their new professional home. Now, it’s Lawson time.

Joe Douglas and the New York Jets have agreed on a three-year, $45 million deal with free-agent edge rusher Carl Lawson, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Lawson, 25, tallied 5.5 sacks and 32 quarterback hits in 16 games for the Cincinnati Bengals this past season. While the sack number doesn’t immediately jump off the page, Lawson’s production reaches far beyond the box score.

Lawson’s 76.3 Pro Football Focus grade from a year ago placed him tied for 14th at the edge defender position. His 84.9 pass-rush grade ranked him eighth overall in the same position category.

Many of Lawson’s reps didn’t turn into sacks, but the overall production was there for the majority of the season.

Originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, Lawson immediately burst on the scene with 8.5 sacks as a rookie.

After an injury-riddled sophomore season that limited him to just seven games, the Auburn product tallied 10.5 sacks and 54 quarterback hits over the last two campaigns (28 games).

Lawson joins a defensive front with the likes of Quinnen Williams, Foley Fatukasi and John Franklin-Myers. While missing out on Joe Thuney and Corey Linsley certainly stung Jets fans initially, snagging wide receiver Corey Davis, linebacker Jarrad Davis and edge rusher Carl Lawson puts a pretty bow on the Jets’ Day 1 free-agency festivities.

Carl Lawson is the organization’s new hope to fill the gaping hole at edge John Abraham created when he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons over a decade and a half ago.

Jet X Offseason Tool 2023 4

Audio Version available to members only: Learn more here

Download Jet X Mobile on the App Store and Google Play.

Want More NY Jets News & Jets X-Factor Content?

Download the free Jet X Mobile App to get customizable notifications directly to your iOS (App Store) or Google/Android (Google Play) device.

Add Jets X-Factor to your Google News feed to stay up to date with the New York Jets.

Follow us on Twitter @jetsxfactor for all the latest New York Jets news, Facebook for even more, Instagram for some of the top NY Jets images, and YouTube for original Jets X-Factor videos.

Join the official Jets Discord community to connect with likeminded fans.

Robby Sabo is a co-founder, developer and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor | Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (sold in 2020). SEO: XLM Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
2 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
JetOrange
JetOrange
2 years ago

Douglas had a very good day, and it’s not over

Dark Demonik
Dark Demonik
2 years ago

Very good day for the Jets they address the speed of the LB corp in one day got and edge setting LB and got a WR that is massive big size with a massive upside hard to hate