The Carolina Panthers are in the throws of an adjustment period as they try to win with new head coach Dave Canales.
They’ve already made a quarterback change, switching from 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young to seasoned veteran Andy Dalton. While the Panthers have still lost multiple games after the move, a much-improved offense may have inspired them to do something similar on the defensive side of the ball.
The Carolina Panthers signed edge rusher Shaq Lawson
To fill gaps and provide a veteran presence on the defensive side of the ball, former Buffalo Bills edge rusher Shaq Lawson was signed by the Panthers.
Lawson nearly made his way around the entire AFC East before landing at the Panthers. He played for the Bills twice, with a year at the Jets and a year at the Dolphins between his two Bills stints. Lawson had career-low production in 2023 after playing over 100 fewer snaps than any other season in his career.
Lawson managed to rack up a career-low 13 tackles in 2023 after failing to eclipse the 30-tackle mark just once leading up to the season.
📆 On This Day In 2020: Shaq Lawson recorded his first sack as a Miami Dolphin
Shaw Lawson worked out for the Miami Dolphins yesterday as the team look for edge help following Phillips’ injury #GoFins pic.twitter.com/8uhmct3F1Q
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) October 4, 2024
The Panthers desperately need help when it comes to their pass rush. Only three players on the entire team have a sack and none of them have more than one. Carolina parted ways with their former pass-rush leader Brian Burns in a trade with the New York Giants and failed to replace his presence.
Lawson likely won’t have the impact of someone like Burns, but the Panthers could inject some pressure from someone other than 31-year-old Jadeveon Clowney. Lawson’s 11.1% pressure rate in 2023 would be 0.5% away from being tied for second on the current Panthers team.
Lawson explained how he could help the Bills in an article from NFL.com, but his answer could easily translate for his upcoming time in Carolina. Lawson said he brings “juice,” something the Panthers line desperately needs.
“I’m the dog. I’m bringing that juice every day,” Lawson replied Wednesday when asked where he fits in, per Ryan O’Halloran of The Buffalo News. “Whatever the coach needs me to do, I’m going to bring it — set the edge, stop the run, take up blocks. That’s where I fit in.”
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