Since the beginning of training camp, the Dallas Cowboys have been adjusting their roster. Naturally, this holds true for virtually every NFL team, as players get hurt, underperform, or simply do not fit in well. However, the Cowboys appear to be making a significant effort to improve their team through free agent signings or trades with an urgency that is unusual for a team with hopes of winning the Super Bowl.
This is probably because the Cowboys’ front office and owner Jerry Jones did not approach free agency with the usual fervor this year. Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and/or Micah Parsons’ upcoming contract extensions may have contributed to Dallas’ limited summer spending. Having said that, the Cowboys did sign a significant free agent last week, signing pass rusher Carl Lawson, who previously played for the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals. Carl Lawson, a new pass rusher for the Dallas Cowboys, is thrilled to join the team.
Lawson has just returned from a season in which he only appeared in six games due to a persistent back injury. The 28-year-old pass rusher had his second season plagued by injuries in three years, but he felt rejuvenated by joining a team that he believes can win the Super Bowl.
I honestly have the impression of a younger player. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve reached my full potential because of injuries, situations, or teams I’ve been on that just haven’t clicked, or because quarterbacks have been on down offenses or are hurt. In this league, I’ve been a very good pass rusher on losing teams. Therefore, the chance to possibly join a team that is capable of winning games and demonstrating my abilities. I’m also thrilled to finally be healthy upon my return. I’m just humbled and eager to start working here. Even though I’ve been playing for a long time, I still feel like a younger player because I haven’t been able to put it all together. “I just want to keep working and be able to bring that to an organization to win, and bring a Super Bowl back to Dallas,” “I know how talented I am.” The Jets, Lawson’s previous team, finished 7-10 in both of his seasons with them.
The Bengals, his other former team, made it to the Super Bowl in 2021, but he was injured and missed the entire season. Carl Lawson, a pass rusher for the Dallas Cowboys, is productive when healthy. Cincinnati selected Lawson in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He started all 16 games as a rookie and had 8.5 sacks despite only playing 42% of the defensive snaps. Lawson tore his ACL in Week 8 of his second year, however, putting an early end to his season. He came back the following year to play in 12 games and had 23 tackles and 5.5 sacks. The following year, in 2020, he started 11 of his 16 games, recorded 5.5 sacks, and had 36 tackles. Sadly, Lawson tore his Achilles tendon while participating in a joint practice with the Green Bay Packers during the preseason of 2021, preventing him from participating in the Bengals’ run to the Super Bowl that year. In 2022, he signed with the Jets and started right away on their fearsome defense. He started and played in all 17 games and had 33 tackles and 7.0 sacks. Lawson missed the majority of last season due to a back injury, as previously mentioned. He will be a huge force on defense in Dallas if he stays healthy.
