4 players the NY Jets need to bench after the bye week

2. Carl Lawson, DE, NY Jets

The Jets had the opportunity to save $15 million in cap space by releasing Carl Lawson this past offseason. Instead, the Jets decided to take a chance on their former big-money signing, instead agreeing to restructure his contract.

It's likely the Jets regret that decision.

Lawson dealt with a back injury that sidelined him for most of the summer, and it's clear that he still hasn't recovered. He's done his best to play through the injury, but it's evident that he's just not effective right now.

Lawson was a healthy scratch in Week 5, returned in Week 6, and once again did nothing with his snaps. The 28-year-old has played a total of 73 snaps this season and has a whopping two pressures to show for it.

It's a shame the Jets have never been able to see the dominant version of Carl Lawson that was on display in Cincinnati, but it's probably time to stop holding out hope that he regains that form. Lawson is borderline unplayable at this stage.

The Jets will likely seek trade opportunities with Lawson, but it won't be easy to find a taker. Either way, there are nine other defensive linemen on the roster who deserve to be active over Lawson right now.

Give his snaps to rookie first-round pick Will McDonald, who has been an afterthought this year. Lawson shouldn't be active on game days anymore.