Buffalo Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson is planning on testing free agency according to Patrick Moran and Sal Capaccio. The Bills declined the fifth-year option for their former first-round selection and he is set to become an unrestricted free agent when the league year opens.
Lawson demonstrated solid play in 2019 after being called out by the coaching staff and front office over the last couple seasons. Statistically, he had two pass knockdowns and a forced fumble to go with 6.5 sacks and 32 tackles. He played 47% of the team’s snaps as their third defensive end.
We projected Lawson might sign a deal in the three years, $26 million range for an average of just under $8.7 million per season. It looks like now he’ll have to hit the open market to see what his value really is.
In a poll from January, more than 90% of Bills fans wanted the team to re-sign him.
The Bills will need to look to the 2020 NFL Draft of the free-agent crop to replace Lawson or maybe both. There is an unusually high number of talented pass rushers hitting the market this offseason.