The Las Vegas Raiders announced that they have signed cornerback Nevin Lawson to a one-year contract extension. The terms of the deal were not released.
The Raiders originally signed Lawson as an unrestricted free agent last offseason and after serving a four-game suspension to begin the year for violating the league’s banned substance policy, he eventually became one of the team’s starters in the secondary to finish out the season.
Originally a fourth-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 2014, Lawson has appeared in 74 games (59 starts) over his career, tallying 217 total tackles, one sack, 30 passes defensed, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He had 23 total tackles and five passes defensed in 11 games (five starts) for the Raiders in 2019.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Lawson’s contract with the Raiders will be worth $3.29 million:
The #Raiders signed CB Nevin Lawson, who emerged as a starter for them last year, to a one-year contract extension worth $3.29M, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 23, 2020
Lawson was recently handed out a one-game suspension for using his helmet as a weapon in the Raiders’ Week 17 loss to the Denver Broncos, so he will miss their Week 1 game in 2020.
The Raiders will likely look to add another cornerback through the draft or free agency, but barring any significant changes, Lawson and Trayvon Mullen will be their two starters at the position in 2020 with Lamarcus Joyner likely seeing time in the slot.
Head coach Jon Gruden has made it clear that he is looking to build a winning culture in Las Vegas, and it appears that he wants Lawson to continue to be a part of that.
