Cowboys’ 2025 free agent profile: DE Carl Lawson

The Dallas Cowboys have an extended record of unrestricted free brokers who will formally hit the open market in somewhat over two months. Of these, six or seven have been vital contributors in 2024, that means the Cowboys have some troublesome choices forward of them within the subsequent two months.

We proceed our free agent profile sequence as we look at a participant who was one of the nice surprises on Dallas’ 2024 roster, defensive finish Carl Lawson.

Photograph by Perry Knotts/Getty Photographs

2024 Common Season Stats: 15G, 27 Whole Pressures, 15 QB Hurries, 6 QB Hits, 6.0 Sacks, 9.4 Move-Rush Win%

Yr Evaluation: Veteran defensive finish Carl Lawson waited late in the summertime to signal with a workforce for the 2024 marketing campaign. After enjoying the previous two seasons with the New York Jets, Lawson went unsigned as a free agent till mid-August, when the Cowboys signed the veteran to a one-year deal.

Dallas signed Lawson to beef up their go rush group that suffered a big blow when third-year-pro Sam Williams went down with a season-ending damage early in coaching camp. The 29-year-old didn’t see the sphere a lot through the first 4 weeks of the common season, however when each Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence went down in Week 4, Lawson was instantly thrust into a way more vital function.

Over Dallas’ ultimate 13 common season video games, Lawson recorded 24 complete pressures and 6 sacks, tied for the third-highest in a single season throughout his profession. Lawson recorded two or extra pressures in eight of these ultimate 13 video games, and his 9.4% pass-rush win price was the third-best on Dallas’ protection all through the whole season.

General, Lawson turned out to be a terrific, low-risk signing for the Cowboys. The veteran had a big-time bounce-back yr and was a key a part of Dallas’ go rush enchancment within the second half of the season.

Free Company Outlook: Lawson’s 2024 efficiency has helped guarantee he’ll actually earn greater than the one-year, $1.1M deal he signed with the Cowboys final August. Whereas it’s nonetheless unlikely a workforce is prepared to commit greater than two years to the veteran, he’ll have an opportunity to at the least double, and perhaps triple, his AAV from his Dallas deal when he hits the open market.

A comparable deal to what Lawson might find yourself agreeing to this offseason is the contract signed by former Cowboy Dante Fowler Jr. final March. Coming off a season the place he recorded 36 complete stress and 5 sacks, Fowler agreed to a one-year, $3.2M contract with the Washington Commanders.

Lawson’s 2024 efficiency is just like what Fowler achieved in Dallas through the 2023 season, and the duo would be the identical age after they hit free company. There’s an excellent likelihood Lawson will earn a really related contract this spring.

Cowboys Verdict: A couple of weeks again, Lawson spoke publicly about being “100 percent” open to re-signing with the Cowboys in free company.

Contemplating he’s fashioned “bonds that are gonna last a lifetime” in Dallas, these having been fashioned within the crucible of adversity, may Lawson’s “where” be in a Cowboys uniform in 2025?

He’s actually open to the concept.

“Oh, one hundred percent,” he mentioned. “One hundred percent.”

A reunion makes loads of sense for each side. Re-signing Lawson wouldn’t require a long-term dedication from the Cowboys, and having him again would assist their go rush depth in a giant approach. Dallas is doubtlessly dropping each DeMarcus Lawrence and Osa Odighizuwa in free company, that means they’ll must do something they’ll to retain reasonably priced go rushers like Lawson.

With Lawson keen on returning and the Cowboys needing to safe roster depth, there appears to be a great shot the veteran will probably be again in Dallas subsequent season.

Prediction: Carl Lawsons indicators a one-year, $3.5M take care of the Dallas Cowboys