The Buffalo Bills managed to bring back a key member of the defense on Thursday, re-signing linebacker Shaq Lawson via free agency after he was away from the team the past two seasons. They may have gotten a critical assist from one of their own, however. According to Matt Parrino, Jordan Phillips was asked about Shaq Lawson's deal in free agency, to which the defensive end relayed a message to his former teammate, telling Lawson to “sign the contract.”

Well, that seems to have been the push Lawson needed, as moments later it was reported that Lawson had agreed to a new deal to return to Buffalo.

Talk about some great timing, or perhaps Lawson truly was waiting for the push from his buddy in order to make the decision to sign a new deal.

Lawson had played the first four seasons of his NFL career in Buffalo before joining the Miami Dolphins in 2020. He spent just one season in Miami before latching on with the Jets for a year. He hit free agency one again in 2022, and the Bills managed to bring back their former first-round pick, who was selected 19th overall in 2016.

Lawson hasn't quite lived up to the hype of his first-round draft selection, but he was a solid contributor during his first stint with the Bills, and will look to pick up where he left off upon departing in 2020.

Throughout his career, Lawson has featured in 78 games, starting 31, recording 21.5 sacks, 163 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, and 61 QB hits.