Former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Carl Lawson didn’t receive a contract in free agency and remained unsigned through the first several weeks of the regular season.
It was shocking to see, given how Lawson played last season in a rotational defensive end role with the Cowboys. He had 15 combined tackles, 19 QB pressures, 15 QB hits, five sacks, and four tackles for loss in 15 games (three starts). That said, the ex-Cowboy finally found his next opportunity after weeks of waiting.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz Lawson is signing with the Baltimore Ravens following a workout. The Ravens reportedly worked out the veteran defensive end on Monday.
For the Ravens, they’re desperately trying to find an answer to their pass-rushing woes, as they are tied dead-last with the Jacksonville Jaguars with eight sacks this season. The Ravens are hoping Lawson can put up similar numbers to what he did with the Cowboys last season or even better.
Ex-Cowboys Pass Rusher Carl Lawson Finally Signs with New Team in 2025
The 30-year-old Lawson was one of several veteran free agents sitting in free agency, waiting to get a call to come in for a tryout to get signed. Before working out with the Ravens earlier this week, Lawson’s market was silent.
Meanwhile, other veteran pass rushers such as DeMarcus Walker, Jadeveon Clowney, and Preston Smith were receiving interest from other teams. Between those three guys, Smith and Clowney found new homes within weeks of each other.
Clowney signed a one-year, $3.45 million deal with the Cowboys on Sept. 14, while Smith was signed to the Commanders’ practice squad three days later. It’s clear that Dallas needed more firepower off the edge earlier this season, hence the Clowney addition. But, shockingly, they did not re-sign Lawson, who has ties to defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton. Whitecotton was with the New York Jets at the same time as Lawson.
And with the trade deadline coming up, and the Cowboys being mentioned as a team looking for more defensive help, Lawson would’ve been a nice, quick add without having to give up a lot of draft capital for Maxx Crosby, Jermaine Johnson, or Jaelen Phillips.
That said, it’s clear the former Cowboys defensive end was looking for the “right opportunity” and must believe that the Ravens offer that, despite them having one of the worst records in the NFL.