Jets Rumors: Carl Lawson Agrees to New Contract; NY Clears $12.7M in Cap Space

The New York Jets and veteran defensive end Carl Lawson reportedly agreed to a restructured contract Thursday.

According to ESPN's Field Yates, Lawson had been due $15 million in non-guaranteed money, but with the reworked deal, he will earn a base salary of $9 million in 2024 with $8 million of it guaranteed. He can also earn another $3 million through incentives.

Per Yates, the move will save the Jets $12.7 million against the salary cap, potentially paving the way for them to make another trade or signing, or to sign one of their own to an extension, such as star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams.

After Lawson spent the first four seasons of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, the Jets signed him to a three-year, $45 million contract in 2021.

The 2017 fourth-round draft pick out of Auburn missed his entire first campaign with the Jets after suffering a ruptured Achilles during a preseason practice.

However, Lawson bounced back well in 2022, returning to start all 17 regular-season games, and recording seven sacks, which was his highest total since registering 8.5 sacks as a rookie in 2017.

The Jets have been busy this offseason, especially in terms of improving the offense, as they acquired future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers, and signed wide receivers Mecole Hardman, Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb.

Per ESPN's Dan Graziano (h/t ESPN's Rich Cimini), the Jets restructured Rodgers' contract upon trading for him, converting his $58.3 million option bonus into a 2024 base salary. As a result, his cap charge for 2023 is just $1.165 million.

That move could cause cap issues for the Jets next year and beyond, but by restructuring Rodgers and Lawson, they have positioned themselves well for 2023.

While there are still some quality veteran free agents available at multiple positions, the money saved could be put toward a new contract for Williams, which would possibly include a signing bonus paid upfront.

Williams was named a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro for the first time last season when he recorded a career-high 55 tackles, 12 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

As of now, he is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2023, as the Jets picked up his fifth-year option.

Regardless of Williams' future and what the Jets plan to do with the money saved by restructuring Lawson's deal, they have given themselves a strong opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and end the NFL's longest active drought.

Much of the focus this offseason has been on New York's offensive improvements, but a defense led by defensive-minded head coach Robert Saleh could be what truly puts them over the top.

Sauce Gardner is an emerging superstar at cornerback, and the combination of Lawson and Williams could make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks once again in 2023.