Carl Lawson ’100-percent’ wants to return to Dallas as he hits free agency

When Carl Lawson came for a training camp tryout with the Dallas Cowboys last August and was not signed, it would’ve been tough to imagine a reality where he would not only wear a star on his helmet in 2024, but be a big contributor to the defensive line.

A couple of weeks after the tryout, Lawson was called to join the practice squad. After a couple of teammates were injured later, Lawson was signed to the active roster five weeks into the season. He eventually worked his way into a starting role after injuries to Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

Despite playing the third-lowest snaps for a season in his seven-year career, Lawson generated a huge pass rush impact with five sacks (tied for third on the team) and 27 quarterback pressures.

“This was a great year for me to prove that I’m the same guy,” Lawson said. “The most important thing is continuous ascension. Now, I get to go into the offseason and progress and get better.”

After tearing his ACL in 2018 and rupturing his Achilles in 2021, just having consistent health was big for Lawson, who didn’t even miss one practice in the 2024 season. It’s a big reason why he is more excited to hit the offseason than at any point in his career.

“This is the year where I feel like I’ll have my biggest jump going into next season,” he said. “I don’t think this was my best season, but I’m more confident about going into the following season than I have before because now I know what to do and I know how to work on those things.”

“I know I have scary potential as a football player. I know I can put it on, it’s just having that consistently and being able to put it out there. I’m excited about what I’ll be able to put in this offseason.”

As for the offseason, he will be hitting free agency once again after seeing his one-year deal with Dallas expire at the start of the league year in March. While he is confident about his options, he is hoping that the Cowboys will pick the phone back up.

“100-percent,” Lawson said on wanting to return to Dallas. “The winning part of it wasn’t there, but bonding in the NFL, this was my best season doing that with my teammates.”

“I was in the moment and I was present for the season each and every day. It seems short, but you create bonds that are gong to last a lifetime. Even Nick Vigil, I hadn’t seen Nick in forever. These bonds are going to last a lifetime.”

Along with Lawson, the defensive line is set to have multiple players hit free agency such as defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and defensive end Chauncey Golston. While the Cowboys will get Sam Williams back from a torn ACL he suffered in training camp last season, Dallas will still need to add bodies to the defensive front.