According to a league source, the Green Bay Packers and free agent linebacker Manny Lawson have recently been in contract discussions.
Lawson signed a one year $3 million deal with the Bengals during free agency last season. Lawson was solid against the run last season, while making 52 tackles. He was drafted by San Francisco in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He was expected to be a more successful pass rusher than he has been so far, but has done a better job in coverage than most expected. Lawson would be a good fit in the Green Bay 3-4 defense, as he has had experience with the 3-4 in San Francisco. The Packers have a need at the outside linebacker position and their starter last season, Erik Walden, is an unrestricted free agent. Green Bay could look to sign Lawson and also attempt to find a pass rushing outside linebacker in the draft.
Manny Lawson is 27 years old, and one would assume that he would like a longer contract than the one year deal he got last season. The Bengals should make it a priority to bring Lawson back. He brought a hard working and veteran presence to the locker room that would be tough to replace. If Lawson does not return, outside linebacker would be another position that the Bengals would need to focus on in the draft. It is currently unknown as to what the Bengals plans are for Keith Rivers, and former third round pick Dontay Moch struggled with migraines last season.
Edit*- According to a report, the Raiders, Colts, and Browns, are other teams along with the Bengals that are interested in Manny Lawson. After a week of relative quietness, the teams are finally starting to jump on the productive Lawson.