One Lawson is being replaced by the New York Jets.
Sources said that the Jets traded with the Houston Texans Sunday for Shaq Lawson (no relationship) after losing defensive end Carl Lawson to a season ending ruptured Achilles.
According to a source, the Jets will send a sixth-round pick in 2022 to the Texans. The pick was acquired last fall by the Jets when they traded defensive end Jordan Willis for the San Francisco 49ers.
Joe Douglas, the Jets' general manager, had been looking at the trade market since Aug. 18 when Carl Lawson, their top-free agent signing on defense -- was taken off the field during a joint practice with Green Bay Packers. Lawson's injury and Vinny Curry's announcement last week that Curry would be out for the season because of a blood disorder that caused severe complications left the Jets vulnerable at the defensive end of their 4-3 defense. Lawson was replaced on the depth chart by Bryce Huff (a second-year player with no experience).
Shaq Lawson (27), a first-round Buffalo Bills pick in 2016, is now the favorite to start alongside John Franklin-Myers.
Lawson was traded for the second time this year. In March, the Miami Dolphins traded Lawson to the Texans. This was one year after he signed a $30 million, three-year contract. The Texans restructured the contract and added voidable years for 2023-2024.
He will receive a base salary of $990,000. In 2021, the Jets will pay an additional $8.9 million. It is not guaranteed.
Lawson was quiet for the Texans in preseason. Lawson played only 79 defensive snaps (42%), and recorded just five tackles, two quarterback pressures, and no sacks.
Lawson was the 19th overall pick of 2016, after a stellar Clemson career. Lawson spent four disappointing seasons with Bills, not recording more than 6 sacks per season. He was unable to play a full season due to injuries. He only started 17 games.
The Dolphins offered him a $21,000,000 guarantee in free agency. However, they did not receive much in return. Four sacks and 32 tackles were given to him while he played 55% of the defensive snaps.
Robert Saleh, Jets coach, has downplayed the possibility that he could trade for an edge rusher in recent days.
Saleh stated that while it's easy to imagine playing the game of 'Let’s go get somebody', the truth is that there are very few options. Joe and his staff work tirelessly to keep the roster updated and communicate with everyone.
