Former Bengals DE Carl Lawson heads to free agency again

Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson is headed for free agency.

Lawson, a fourth-round pick by the Bengals in 2017, was one of four contracts voided by the New York Jets this past week.

After leaving the Bengals and signing a $45 million contract with the Jets in 2021, Lawson missed that season due to injury, played 17 games in 2022 and just six this past season due to a back injury suffered in training camp.

Notably, the Bengals went and signed Trey Hendrickson during that 2021 offseason, clearly in hindsight coming out way ahead.

Interesting now, though, is whether the Bengals might have an interest in Lawson as pass-rushing depth behind Hendrickson if the veteran can prove he’s healthy going into his age-29 season.