Carl Lawson cashed in big time during free agency last season, signing a 3-year, $45 million contract with $30 million guaranteed with the Jets, leaving the Cincinnati Bengals. Unfortunately, he never got a chance to enjoy his first season in the Big Apple.
An August Achilles injury ended his season before it began. So Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens will be his first actual game as a Jet. And if you think he wasn’t hungry to get back, his comment to the media Wednesday tells you all you need to know.
“I wanted it as bad as you want to breathe,” Lawson said. That’s about as serious as you can get. Lawson battled and fought as hard as he could to get back into action and has easily gotten back into football shape and will be a big-time leader on this defense.
Carl Lawson on how badly he wanted to rebound from Achilles injury and get back to form:
“I wanted it as bad as you want to breathe.” #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 10, 2022
“I have the most ridiculous expectations for myself,” he said, joking that he wants 100 sacks. He also said he wants the identity of the Jets’ defense to be “violent”.
Lawson: “I have the most ridiculous expectations” for myself. Jokes about 100 sacks. Says he wants to do something never done before. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 10, 2022
What does Carl Lawson want the identity of the #Jets defense to be?
“Violent.”
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) August 10, 2022
Lawson is ready to hit someone, particularly on the other team. He said he was “antsy” heading into the Green and White scrimmage. He looks like he’ll get a chance to hit someone from another team on Friday, as the starters are expected to play about 1-2 series against the Eagles.
Carl Lawson says he was “antsy” before the scrimmage last weekend. Imagine how he will feel Friday vs Eagles — first action in a year. #Jets pic.twitter.com/vfDgXjUehI
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 10, 2022
It’s been a wild ride for Lawson, but one that is definitely on the rise and it will be very fun to watch him when he is let loose fully this season.
