Bills bring back Shaq Lawson

Well, the Buffalo Bills are bringing the band back together. They are re-signing Shaq Lawson to a one year deal after a string of moves that included Jordan Phillips too.

Alaina Getzenberg on Twitter: “Jordan Phillips said, “Shaq, sign the contract.”Shaq Lawson moments later: https://t.co/NU9wGbk9VO / Twitter”

Jordan Phillips said, “Shaq, sign the contract.”Shaq Lawson moments later: https://t.co/NU9wGbk9VO

Shaq’s Previous Stint

Shaq had a decent career in Buffalo, spending four seasons with the team. In those four seasons, Lawson totaled 16.5 sacks, 108 tackles, 38 QB hits, and 25 tackles for loss. Since Buffalo however, Lawson has spent time with three other teams, including the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and New York Jets, who he was by at the end of the regular season. So, where does Shaq fit on this new defense?

What He Brings to the Table

Shaq Lawson returns to a loaded DE group that includes Von Miller, Boogie Basham, Greg Rousseau, and AJ Epenesa. During his time here, Lawson’s best role was stopping the run, and that showed up with 25 TFLs. Shaq’s career has had a handful of up’s & downs, including multiple injuries, trades, and being cut. However, he has found his best seasons with the Bills, including in 2019 when he totaled 6.5 sacks (a career high).

Mike Clay on Twitter: “Bills edge rushers:Von Miller (2011 1st)Gregory Rousseau (2021 1st)Carlos Basham (2021 2nd)AJ Epenesa (2020 2nd)Shaq Lawson (2016 1st) / Twitter”

Bills edge rushers:Von Miller (2011 1st)Gregory Rousseau (2021 1st)Carlos Basham (2021 2nd)AJ Epenesa (2020 2nd)Shaq Lawson (2016 1st)

The two sides had mutual interest in a return that started a couple months ago after the Jets released him, and it started to increase last week when ESPN reported both sides have interest in a return. Now, after a lot of social media teasing, Lawson gets to come back home where it all started.

The cool part about all of this? At the end of Jordan Phillips introductory press conference, Phillips told Lawson to sign the contract. Now, Phillips gets his wish, and the two are back home where both found success.

Free agents Jerry Hughes & Mario Addison seem poised to be out the door. Hughes, the longest tenured Buffalo Bills player, spent 10 seasons with the team. Addison, has lead the Bills in sacks two years in a row now with seven sacks in 2021 & five sacks in 2020.