The Cincinnati Bengals could use some pass-rushing help, an idea that seems like a good thing to bring up this close to the NFL’s trade deadline.
Especially when someone like Carl Lawson might be available.
Lawson, a fourth-round pick by the Bengals who spent four years with the team, has spent the last three seasons with the New York Jets after leaving in free agency.
While Lawson had seven sacks in 2022, he’s played in just four games this season, being a healthy scratch in two and seeing just 24 percent of the defensive snaps.
Now he’s spoken out about wanting to play more and ESPN’s Rich Cimini had this to say on the matter:
“With running back Dalvin Cook and defensive end Carl Lawson publicly airing their frustration with reduced roles, and both open to trades, the spotlight is on Douglas and whether he will deal the former starters before the NFL’s trading deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Douglas is willing to move them, multiple sources close to the situation said, but he’s not going to give them away, especially with the Jets (3-3) still in contention.”
Of course, Lawson wouldn’t see much more playing time than he’s already getting with the Jets if the two sides were to work out a deal.
But he’d certainly see usage — Trey Hendrickson has again been the only reliable bit of pass-rush for the Bengals this season and he’s again already dealt with back issues that nagged him last year.
That’s reason enough to find some help and Lawson, if nothing else, has been in the building before and has proven himself as efficient in bursts. It’s hard to know what the Jets would want in return, but we do know that he’s on the final year of his current contract. He’s due roughly $3 million over the rest of the season, but a trade could always readjust that.
While the Bengals aren’t expected to make a move at the deadline, adding Lawson to Hendrickson, Joseph Ossai, Myles Murphy, Sam Hubbard and others might provide the season-long depth that keeps everyone healthy before a defensive-minded playoff run again.
If the cost isn’t too expensive, meaning in the late-rounder range, the Bengals might want to consider it.
