Jets star DE Carl Lawson restructures contract to clear $12.7M in cap space amid anticipated announcement of Aaron Rodgers’s new deal and standstill in Quinnen Williams talks
- Williams recently changed his Twitter to say ‘Defensive Tackle for ……………….’
- Corey Davis is said to be the next veteran who may have their deal reworked
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The New York Jets and star defensive end Carl Lawson have agreed to a restructured contract that will save the team $12.7 million in salary cap space.
Before the restructuring, Lawson was set to make a non-guaranteed $15 million this season. However he will now make a base salary of $9 million in 2024. He can also earn back an additional $3 million in incentives tied to sacks and playing time.
Lawson’s agent confirmed the deal upon being reached out to 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 into base salary for 2024. He is also set to account for a $107.6 million cap charge which currently puts NY at a projected 40 million over the cap.
The Jets are at an apparent impasse in negotiations with star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams after Williams recently changed his Twitter bio to say ‘Defensive Tackle for ……………….,’ while removing any references to the team.
Jets defensive end Carl Lawson restructured his contract saving the team $12.7M in cap space

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

New York has also reached a standstill in negotiations with defensive tackle Quinnen Williams
Williams’ feed also shows numerous retweets of posts listing his stats and saying that he deserves to be paid like a top defensive tackle.
There is also a tweet that showcases Jets general manager Joe Douglas saying that the team is ‘optimistic and hopeful’ about getting a deal done with Williams, who simply posted a gif of himself sipping tea and looking away with the caption ‘optimistic’ in quotes as if to say ‘yea ok.’
At several points throughout the offseason Lawson’s named came up in rumors as a candidate to released so the Jets could free up cap space.
The 27-year-old pass rusher had failed to live up to expectations from the three-year, $45 million contract he signed in free agency of 2021 after playing with the Cincinnati Bengals.
He missed his entire first season in New York after suffering a ruptured Achillies during a preseason practice before returning in 2022 to deliver 8.5 sacks. Though the 8.5 sacks were his highest total since his rookie season in 2017 it was noted that Lawson did not produce pressure at the same rate as before his injury.
Despite these shortcomings Jets head coach Robert Saleh insisted that the team planned for Williams to remain on the roster as a key contributor.

Lawson recorded 8.5 sacks however his pressure rate on the QB was less than expected

Veteran wide receiver Corey Davies is also a candidate to be have his deal reworked soon
ESPN’s Rich Cimini also noted that veteran wide receiver Corey Davis could be the next player to have his deal reworked as the team tries to create cap space for the impending new deals of Rodgers and possibly Williams as well.
Davis is entering the season set to make over $10 million in salary with a cap charge that surpasses $11 million. He too has been long identified as a candidate to be cut or traded, especially after the Jets recent additions at the receiver position.
New York signed former Packers wide out Allen Lazard to a long-term contract this offseason, and also inked a deal with former Kansas City Chiefs playmaker Mecole Hardman.
Those additions combined with reigning offensive rookie of the year Garrett Wilson seemingly have pushed Davis down to being the fourth option on the Jets depth chart. That also is not taking into account recently signed veteran Randal Cobb or former second-round Denzel Mims.
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