Should the Buffalo Bills have brought back Shaq Lawson last offseason?

Last offseason, the Buffalo Bills had to make the decision about whether or not to bring back defensive end Shaq Lawson. The former Clemson pass rusher was a first round pick in 2016 but struggled to develop into that starter. The Bills elected to not pick up the fifth year option and became a free agent last offseason.

He would ultimately leave in free agency and sign with the Miami Dolphins. Now one season removed, let’s review the decision and the subsequent moves to see if the Bills made the right decision.

Contract: 3-years, $30 million

2020 Season

In his first season with the Miami Dolphins, Lawson played in 14 games and had seven starts and played 55% of the defensive snaps. He finished with 32 total tackles, 4 sacks and 18 QB hits. He also had one forced fumble and one fumble recovery which he returned for a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals.

Buffalo Bills Replacement: Mario Addison

Contract: 3-years, $30.45 million

2020 Season

While the Buffalo Bills did draft A.J. Epenesa in the second round, the primary replacement of Lawson was defensive end Mario Addison. The veteran pass rusher had previously been with the Carolina Panthers and had more production in getting pressure on the quarterback with four straight seasons of at least nine or more sacks.

This past season though the numbers did drop with 30 total tackles, five sacks and eight QB hits in 15 games played (seven starts).

Did the Buffalo Bills make the right decision?

This is a tough one to gauge as neither player really stood out this past season. Lawson’s numbers did drop from his last season with Buffalo but Mario Addison’s numbers dropped from his final season with the Panthers and first with the Bills.

The age difference was something that last year was taken into account as Lawson is only 26 years old compared to Mario Addison who is 33 years old. The signing of Addison appeared to be more of a short-term solution, compared to the long-term answer.

There is very little difference between the performance on the field but the contract is something that makes the decision to sign Mario Addison the right one. The team appears to be in the market for another defensive end this offseason and if they release Addison, it will result in $8 million in cap savings with only $2 million in dead cap with a Post-June 1st designation.

However, the team likely wouldn’t have the luxury to upgrade the position with Shaq Lawson and his contract. If they were to release him this offseason it would result in $10 million of dead cap.

While the Buffalo Bills are seemingly back to square one, the decision to not match the Dolphins’ offer to Shaq Lawson was the right decision.