Getty New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh reacting in the middle of an NFL game.
The New York Jets have placed veteran defensive lineman Carl Lawson on the block ahead of the October 31 NFL trade deadline, according to a report.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on Saturday, October 21, that Gang Green has “made it known” to the rest of the league that Lawson “is available.”
“It’s been a slow start for him in New York, and his contract makes him an attractive trade option,” Russini wrote in her weekly trade rumors column.
Jets Are Ready to Move on From Their Prized Free Agent Gem
The Auburn product joined the Jets during the 2021 offseason in a three-year, $45 million deal.
The statistics illustrate Lawson’s “slow start.” In four games, the 28-year-old hasn’t registered a sack or a quarterback hit. Last season, Lawson notched 7 sacks, the second highest mark of his seven-year NFL career.
There has been some debate on social media about his trade value.
Moe Moton, a Bleacher Report columnist who covers the Las Vegas Raiders, told me on “Boy Green Daily” that the Raiders would be a perfect fit for Lawson’s services. He proposed a deal in which Las Vegas would offer a third- or fourth-round pick for Lawson.
However, ESPN’s Rich Cimini offered a different perspective in an appearance on the October 18 episode of “The Jake Asman Show.”
“I think [the Jets] are listening — they’re open to moving him — but we know how [Robert] Saleh loves that depth on the defensive line,” Cimini said.
“No one is going to blow their socks off with an offer for Carl Lawson. I mean what are you going to get? A sixth-round pick in 2025 or something like that?” Cimini said. “His value has been diminished greatly from a couple of years ago. He had the Achilles and he’s had some back issues, and he just hasn’t produced. So, if they trade him, it’s just about trying to save some money by getting his contract off of the books. I’m not sure it’s even worth it now. I’d rather have him on my depth chart just in case.”
Joe Douglas’ Track Record in Free Agency Has Come Into Question
Jets GM Joe Douglas has gotten a lot right during his tenure with the team, but he has also left much to be desired — specifically as it pertains to his hit rate in free agency.
During the 2021 offseason, the Jets doled out over $82.5 million for two free agents. Lawson appears destined to join another squad in 2023 and wide receiver Corey Davis retired this offseason.
Those additions were viewed as the gems of the Jets offseason, but they never delivered on the hype.
Douglas deserves credit for hitting on veteran cornerback DJ Reed in 2022, but even a broken clock is right twice a day.
The massive swings in free agency have provided a lot more failures than success stories during Douglas’ run, which started in 2019.
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt listed the signings of running back Dalvin Cook and wide receiver Mecole Hardman as busts on par with Douglas’ poor showing with the 2021 free agency class.
“Five years is an eternity in the NFL, and few general managers have survived five seasons without a playoff appearance. Douglas has a 22-49 record as GM,” Rosenblatt wrote in his October 13 story. “So, there is a lot on the line this season. … The time to win is now.”