Lawson and Phillips signed for $30m over 3 years each.
We replaced them with Addison ($10m), Butler ($7.5m), and Jefferson ($6.75m), and replaced Alexander with Klein ($6m). Special teamer Matakevich is getting $4.5m a year.
Phillips is a unique talent whose combination of size and pass rushing ability helped wear down opposing interior o-linemen, which was critical in enabling Hughes and Oliver to be able to win one-on-one matchups with their skill. Star’s physicality and size also helped open gaps for our finesse rushers, while Lawson’s reliability in setting the edge/physicality for a 4-3 DE kept the line from being physically overwhelmed.
The linebacker play outside of Milano is completely undisciplined; without push from the interior, RBs are able to exploit small gaps and QBs can exploit the soft coverage in the middle of the field. As slow as Lorax looked sometimes, his discipline and play recognition helped Tremaine play instinctively rather than reactively. This defense needs reliable space eaters at DT and a disciplined play caller at LB for the rest of the unit to play to its strengths.
Getting rid of young players who fit the scheme (and who signed reasonable contracts for three years) for overpriced rotation players with, yes, Carolina ties (Klein, Addison, and Butler) made little sense from a cap or talent perspective. We could have signed Blake Martinez, Lawson, and Phillips for $30m AAV instead of Addison, Klein, Butler, Jefferson, and Matakevich for $35m.