FRISCO, Texas — Carl Lawson is entering this offseason in a much different place than the year prior. The veteran defensive end had an unceremonious parting of ways with the New York Jets following a 2023 season that saw him register no sacks and awarded no starts, looking for a place to re-establish himself as a dominant pass rusher.
He'd eventually find that home when he and the Dallas Cowboys agreed to a practice squad deal at the end of training camp, Lawson then parlaying that into a spot on the active roster.
In the end, he'd go on a heater during the back half of the season — finishing with five sacks (tied for third-most on the team) and plenty more quarterback pressures.
"This was a great year for me to prove that I'm still the same caliber of guy," said Lawson. "The thing for me was continuous ascension. It wasn't 'come out of the gates hot and then [fall off]'. And the film I put out there against top-tier opponents, as the season was going on, was really good in establishing myself.
"Now, I get to go into the offseason and progress to become even better."
His season includes one of the biggest highlights of the season for Cowboys, when he bull rushed two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl tackle Tristan Wirfs into the Earth's crust.
"I know I have scary potential as a football player. It's just [about] putting it on consistently, and being able to put that out there," Lawson said. "I'm really excited for the work I'm going to put in this offseason. … This is the year where I feel I'm going to have my biggest jump going into the next season. … I'm more confident going into the following season more than any other season [prior].
"I know what to do. I know what I need to work on and I know how to do those things. It's going to happen inevitably. I just don't know the 'when' and the 'where'."
Considering he's formed "bonds that are gonna last a lifetime" in Dallas, those having been formed in the crucible of adversity, might Lawson's "where" be in a Cowboys uniform in 2025?
He's certainly open to the idea.
"Oh, one hundred percent," he said. "One hundred percent."
