Shaq Lawson Traded to the New York Jets

Shaq Lawson Traded to the New York Jets

The Jets have been in search for a replacement pass rusher ever since losing Carl Lawson to a season-ending Achilles rupture a few days ago. Even though the Jets are not expected to contend for a playoff spot this season, the team is clearly making every effort to be competitive. Meanwhile, the Texans are already giving up on the player they just traded for this past off-season. Houston received Lawson and a 2021 sixth-round pick from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for linebacker Benardrick McKinney and a 2021 seventh-round pick.

Lawson was drafted with the 19^th pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He would go on to play for four seasons in Buffalo, but never lived up to his first-round billing. During his four seasons in Buffalo, Lawson recorded 108 tackles with 16 and a half sacks, five forced fumbles, and 10 pass deflections. This all came in 24 registered games started.

After spending four seasons in Buffalo, Lawson signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Dolphins. During his first and only season in Miami, Lawson started just seven games as an outside linebacker. During those starts, he recorded 32 combined tackles with four sacks and one forced fumble. Lawson also registered one pass deflection and one defensive touchdown. Overall, a pretty underwhelming season in Miami.

A veteran presence is what Lawson will bring to the Jets. While the impact he will have is hard to forecast, he most likely will continue to play outside linebacker. Lawson carries a cap hit of a little over $3 million this season. His cap hit for the 2022 season is close to $11 million. Because of this, a possible restructuring of his contract may be in his future.

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