Robert Saleh Sends Warning To League About Carl Lawson
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh is on fire lately.
After sending the team’s critics a warning back in September, he’s issuing another warning to the league.
This warning is over edge rusher Carl Lawson, one of their key defensive players.
So what is the warning, and should the league take Saleh’s warnings seriously?
Saleh Believes Lawson Can Do Even More Damage On Defense
Lawson is making a return from an Achilles injury he suffered back in 2021.
While he missed all of last season, his return saw him post a breakout performance against the Miami Dolphins.
#Jets HC Robert Saleh just sent out a scary warning to the rest of the #NFL saying he believes EDGE Carl Lawson (@carllawson55) has another gear he can reach despite his breakout performance, ‘he’s gaining confidence’ 😳: 🎥 @nyjets #TakeFlight @AuburnFootball pic.twitter.com/Ujb6ITz7H7
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) October 10, 2022
In that game, Lawson had a sack fumble, nine QB pressures, and six QB hits in his best performance of 2022.
9 pressures, 6 QB hits, a sack, and a forced fumble for Carl Lawson in today’s game.
He’s gotten better every week. Today he was dominant.
— The Jet Press (@TheJetPress) October 9, 2022
If Saleh’s warning rings true, then the Jets’ edge rusher might be a force to reckon with this season.
However, he’s never been this much of an issue for offenses during his career.
So was his injury in 2021 a blessing in disguise for the Jets?
Lawson Came Into 2022 Prepared To Make An Impact
While 2021 was over for Lawson before the season began, he came into 2022 prepared to make an impact.
With 2021’s training camp ending with Lawson out for the season, he had a flawless training camp this season.
He was showing off how good he can be when facing QBs.
#Jets practice 8 (pads):
📰Big day for DE Carl Lawson, who was constantly in Zach Wilson’s face. At least 2 sacks. Shades of last training camp. He’s tailor made for the wide-9 scheme.
⭐️Parks (INT), Nasirildeen (INT), Carter (TD catch), Zonovan Knight (long TD run).
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 5, 2022
However, it seems like the young talent is playing with fire this season.
While his injury isn’t an easy one to return from, he’s giving solid production early in the season.
His 2.5 sacks for 2022 have him on pace for 8.5 sacks this season.
That number will tie his career high sacks for a season, which he had during his rookie season for the Cincinnati Bengals.
While 8.5 sacks doesn’t put him with other elite pass rushers, it is a solid defense performance that’s needed with the Jets this season.
However, Saleh believes the sky is the limit for the 27-year-old defensive pass rusher.
Confidence Might Continue To Help Lawson In 2022
The Jets head coach sees how confident his pass rusher is this season.
However, he’s banking on that confidence to propel Lawson to an even higher level this season.
While some thought the edge rusher should have been pulled during the Jets game with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saleh kept him in the game.
Fans have been upset with the penalties committed by Lawson so far this season, which saw one penalty turn into a $15,914 fine.
Jets Carl Lawson was fined $15,914 for his roughing the passer penalty at the end of the first half last week vs. Steelers.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) October 8, 2022
But those mental mistakes never kept the Jets head coach from believing in his edge rusher.
During Sunday’s game with the Dolphins, that belief in him is allowing the pass rusher to build confidence.
However, he needs to make fewer mistakes on defense if he wants to continue having solid games.
Costly penalties can easily ruin the game for the Jets.
With pundants waiting for the Jets to fail, everything the star edge rusher does this season is under a microscope.
But with the confidence boost from Sunday’s game, he can ride that momentum to another impressive performance during his next game.