The Dallas Cowboys continue to bolster their defensive front ahead of the 2024 season.
Carl Lawson has been active with free agent visits lately, and one of those workouts has resulted in a contract. The veteran edge rusher is signing with the Cowboys, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
The Cowboys are signing veteran defensive end Carl Lawson, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Thursday morning, citing informed sources.
This move follows Dallas’ trade for defensive tackle Jordan Phillips on Wednesday. Lawson remained on the free-agent market this offseason after struggling to secure a spot in the New York Jets’ edge rush rotation in 2023. He dealt with a back injury before the season and was occasionally a healthy scratch, playing just 98 snaps over six games, according to Next Gen Stats. The 29-year-old recorded no sacks and only five tackles.
Drafted in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017, Lawson made an early impact as an edge rusher before signing a three-year, $45 million contract with the New York Jets in 2021 to bolster Robert Saleh’s defense. However, an Achilles rupture during training camp sidelined him for the entire season. He returned in 2022 to record seven sacks, but last year’s performance was lackluster. Lawson has a career total of 27 sacks.
The Cowboys needed depth at edge rusher behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence after losing Sam Williams to a knee injury early in camp. Dallas also waived Shaka Toney, who was signed to help fill Williams’ role, with an injury designation this week.
After a quiet start to free agency this offseason, the Cowboys have strengthened their defensive line depth in just two days, adding Phillips and Lawson as the 2024 season draws near.