OXNARD, Calif. — Carl Lawson had a tryout with the Cowboys at the beginning of training camp but did not sign. After leaving, he posted a star on his social media account.
A sign of his intentions?
“Let’s leave it up to interpretation,” Lawson told reporters on Monday.
Now there’s nothing left to interpret. The veteran defensive end has signed a one-year deal with a Cowboys team that is working to improve the position following Sam Williams’ season-ending injury.
Lawson couldn’t be happier.
“It’s a breath of fresh air,” Lawson said after the Cowboys finished a practice game (a hyped-up walk-through) early Monday night. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
“Such a historic franchise like this. I just want to do my best and do everything I can to be a dominant player.”
Lawson is entering his eighth season in the league. The 29-year-old is coming off the least productive season of his career, but doesn’t believe that’s a sign of declining skills.
What does he have left?
“A lot,” Lawson said. “I honestly feel like a younger player.”
“I feel like I haven’t reached my full potential because of injuries or because of the teams I’ve played for. It just hasn’t clicked.”
“I’ve been on teams with weak offenses. I was a very effective pass rusher in this league, but on teams that lost.”
Lawson signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the New York Jets in 2021, but missed the season with a torn Achilles tendon. He returned the following year and recorded seven sacks, but last year a back injury hampered him in training camp and he lost his starting spot.
The experienced defensive end was not used in 11 games.
“It was definitely a difficult situation,” Lawson said. “God humbles you in different ways. Even when you do everything you can do, sometimes things don’t go the way you plan.”
“Stay the course, keep fighting, show up as the best person you can be and everything will be fine for you.”
Lawson hopes better days are ahead for Dallas.
“I’m excited,” he said.
Twitter: @DavidMooreDMN
For more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News, click here.
Dallas Cowboys
