OXNARD, Calif. — Help isn't on the way for the Dallas Cowboys' defensive line, because it's already arrived. That aid comes in the form of both Jordan Phillips and Carl Lawson, the former having been acquired via trade with the New York Giants while the latter signs as a free agent following an impressive workout not long ago.
Lawson was unable to make his debut for the Cowboys in their victory this preseason over the Las Vegas Raiders, as Phillips did, but that was due to his signing having not been made official until Monday morning.
He was, however, on the field for the mock game/walkthrough on Monday afternoon, seen getting plenty of advice and coaching fairly immediately from players like DeMarcus Lawrence and, of course, defensive line coach Jeff Zgonina.
Lawson, a former fourth-round pick (2017) of the Cincinnati Bengals, where he first met current Cowboys' defensive run game coordinator Paul Guenther en route to being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team to begin his NFL career. His most recent complete season saw him deliver seven sacks in 17 starts for the New York Jets before suffering a back injury that mostly derailed his 2023 campaign.
Now healthy and champing at the bit to not only prove himself, but to do so on a team he views as a contender, Lawson opened up about his journey to Dallas.
On his first reaction of the deal getting finalized:
"I'm happy to be here. It's a breath of fresh air and I'm happy for the opportunity."
On his joining a D-line that also features Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence:
"It's a blessing to be able to add to it and to such a historic franchise such as this, and especially this fanbase. I just want to give them my all. I'm gonna do everything I can to be a dominant player."
On his subtweets using a star emoji:
"Oh? That was about Dallas? Let's leave it to interpretation."
On reuniting with Paul Guenther:
"Pauly just let me go, and it was to use my abilities to the fullest. … Now we're reunited and I'm excited about that."
On how much is left in his NFL tank:
"A lot. I feel like a younger player. My potential hasn't been reached due to injury, or situation, or teams that I've been on that haven't clicked. … I've been a very effective pass rusher in this league, but on losing teams. So this is an opportunity to get on a team that can be up in games and I can show my ability, now that I'm healthy, so I'm excited."
On rushing the passer with a ballhawking secondary behind him:
"Rush and coverage work together but, first and foremost, stop the run so you can have some fun. I'm here to do that as well, if that's what they ask of me. I'm trying to be the best player in all abilities, in all facets of the game."
On the hardships of 2023:
"That was definitely a tough situation, but God humbles you in different ways. Sometimes, situations don't work out for you but stay the course, keep fighting, represent yourself as the best possible human being that you can be; and things will shake out for you, whether it's on the field or just in life. I'm just humbled and excited to get to work. I've been in the game for a long time but I do feel like a younger player, I just haven't been able to put it all together. I know how talented I am and I wanna be able to keep working to be able to help this organization win, and bring a Super Bowl back to Dallas."
On if other teams attempted to sign him in 2024:
"I had a bunch of other opportunities. I was more so this offseason, looking for the right opportunity. I didn't want something that wouldn't be the best situation for me and the team I was going into. This situation — the stars aligned."
On his versatility to do whatever Mike Zimmer requires:
"In my career, I've had to play in every front. I think [former Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp] told me, 'The more you can do.' So I've been able to adapt to 3-4, a 4-3, a 6-technique, a 9-technique, a 4i — I've played every possible front. It's just different terminology and noticing a coordinator's different tendencies. It didn't really matter, it's just a better situation. Getting to the quarterback is pretty much the same on every [defensive] front."
On his pre-existing relationships can aid in his Dallas ramp-up:
"My relationship with Paul, or even [Jeff Zgonina], because I don't want to make things too personal [on Guenther] because [Zgonina] was one of the first people at the Combine who said anything positive. He probably doesn't remember it, but it meant a lot to me for someone to tell me I could be something in this league. I'll always remember that interview. … And then Pauly has always believed in me, so I just wanna give the best I possibly can. You can count on that."
