New York Jets DE Carl Lawson ‘restructures contract to clear $12.7M in cap space’ 

The New York Jets and defensive back star Carl Lawson have agreed on a restructured contract that will save the team $12.7 million in salary cap.

Before the restructuring, Lawson was expected to earn an unguaranteed $15 million this season. However, he will now earn a base salary of $9 million by 2024. He can also recoup an additional $3 million in incentives tied to sacks and game time.

Lawson’s agent confirmed the deal after being approached for confirmation. The move was first reported by ESPN.

New York is expected to announce a restructured contract with newly acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the coming days. His current cap number is less than $1.2 million after the $58.3 million option bonus in his contract was converted to base salary for 2024. He will also factor in a cap of $107.6 million, which currently leaves NY is expected to be 40 million above the limit. .

The Jets are seemingly deadlocked in negotiations with defensive star Quinnen Williams after Williams recently changed his Twitter biography to “Defensive Tackle for ……………….”, while removing all references to the team.

The restructuring comes in anticipation of a new deal for newly acquired Aaron Rodgers

New York has also stalled in negotiations with defensive tackle Quinnen Williams

Williams’ feed also shows numerous retweets of posts listing his stats and saying he deserves to be paid as an outstanding defensive tackle.

There’s also a tweet showing Jets general manager Joe Douglas showing the team is “optimistic and hopeful” about making a deal with Williams, who simply posted a gif of himself drinking tea and looking away with the caption “optimistic” in quotes as if to say “yeah okay.”

At various times during the off-season, Lawson’s name came up in rumors as a candidate to be released so the Jets could clear cap space.

The 27-year-old pass-rusher fell short of expectations on the three-year, $45 million contract he signed for free in 2021 after playing with the Cincinnati Bengals.

He missed his entire first season in New York after suffering a torn Achilles tendon during preseason training before returning in 2022 to deliver 8.5 sacks. While the 8.5 sacks were his highest total since his rookie season in 2017, it was noted that Lawson was not pressing at the same pace as he was before his injury.

Despite these shortcomings, Jets head coach Robert Saleh insisted that the team intended for Williams to remain on the roster as a major contributor.

Lawson recorded 8.5 sacks, but his pressure on the QB was lower than expected

Veteran wide receiver Corey Davies is also a candidate to have his deal reworked soon

ESPN’s Rich Cimini also noted that veteran wide receiver Corey Davis could be the next player to rework his deal as the team tries to create capspace for the impending new deals from Rodgers and possibly Williams.

Davis enters the season set to earn more than $10 million in salary with a cap of more than $11 million. He, too, has long been identified as a candidate to be dropped or traded, especially after the Jets’ recent additions to the receiver position.

New York signed former Packers wide out Allen Lazard to a long-term contract this offseason, as well as signing a deal with former Kansas City Chiefs playmaker Mecole Hardman.

Those additions combined with reigning offensive rookie of the year Garrett Wilson seemingly pushed Davis down to the fourth option on the Jets depth chart. That also doesn’t take into account recently signed veteran Randal Cobb or former second-round pick Denzel Mims.