Carl Lawson Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Browns linked to former AFC North edge rusher

By Aaron Becker | Last updated Feb 27, 2023 11:02 AM ET

The Browns are in need of an edge rusher, and a veteran who previously hunted quarterbacks in the AFC North could be the perfect addition.

Jets DE Carl Lawson signed a three-year, $45 million contract in 2021, but New York could save $15.4 million in cap space if he were to be cut. That seems to be the direction the team is heading.

Lawson was with the Bengals for the fist four years of his career, where he totaled 20 sacks and a 14.3 percent pressure rate, which ranked fourth in the NFL over that span. However, after missing the 2021 season due to a torn ACL, the 27-year-old could be heading back to the AFC North in 2023.

I see #Jets media indicating that DE Carl Lawson could be cut this off-season. The #Browns had previous interest in Lawson when he hit free agency two years ago.

He battled injuries while with the team and never seemed fully healthy. From 2017-2020 he owned a pressure rate of… https://t.co/hr12QJIOsH pic.twitter.com/FfPJkNlU5X
— Tyler Johnson (@T_johnson_TJ) February 26, 2023

Cleveland is in need of a pass rusher to pair with Myles Garrett, especially since Jadeveon Clowney is headed to free agency himself after saying he was "95 percent sure" he wouldn't be back with the team next season.

The Browns had interest in Lawson when he hit free agency two years ago, so it's likely they will again if he does get cut — although, Cleveland will need to make some cuts itself as it is still in the negative in cap space for 2023.

With Lawson's injury history, he should be a lot cheaper this time around and could give the Browns one of the better pass-rushing duos in the league.

Aaron Becker

Aaron Becker is a Pittsburgh-based sports journalist, primarily covering the NFL and college football. He previously worked for the Kansas City Chiefs (2021-22), Pittsburgh Steelers (2019-21) and University of Pittsburgh (2018-19). Becker has a B

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