Buffalo Bills 2023 Free Agent Profile: Shaq Lawson

Similar to Jordan Phillips, the Buffalo Bills brought back defensive end Shaq Lawson this past offseason on a one-year, prove-it type deal. Lawson was the Buffalo Bills first round pick in 2016 but never really elevated to being that impact pass rusher during his time in Buffalo and the Bills would elect to not pick up his fifth-year option.

The former Clemson Tigers’ defensive end would then go on to have his best season in the NFL in his final season in Buffalo with 6.5 sacks and 18 QB hits. After that year, he was able to earn a three-year contract in free agency from the Miami Dolphins in 2020.

However, over the next two years Lawson would struggle to make the same impact and would be traded by the Dolphins after one season to the Houston Texans, who would trade him to the New York Jets only a few months later and he would not play a single regular season snap for the Texans.

He would play in 14 games for the New York Jets in 2021 but would be released prior to the end of the season which eventually would lead him back to Buffalo.

Entering the season, Lawson wasn’t necessarily guaranteed a roster spot but showed enough to be on the 53-man roster and eventually be the starter toward the end of the year after Von Miller’s injury. He would finish the season with 3.5 sacks and nine QB hits.

Should the Buffalo Bills re-sign Shaq Lawson this offseason?

The defensive end position is interesting for the Buffalo Bills as the only player set to be a free agent there this offseason is Shaq Lawson. It would make sense for the Buffalo Bills to want to bring him back as he knows the defense and has been productive as a rotational player.

However, the Bills could also look to make a change as the position collectively didn’t play at the same level after Von Miller’s injury. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the team want to bring in another veteran and if they do, then there might not be room on the roster for Shaq Lawson.

In the end, I believe the Buffalo Bills will re-sign Shaq Lawson but he likely once again will have to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster.