After four seasons in the NFL, it was do-or-die for former Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson. Entering his fifth season in 2019 with the Buffalo Bills, he knew the upcoming year would determine his immediate future.

"It was going to determine if I signed a one-year or a long-term deal," Lawson said. "I knew what I had to do, knew what I had to do to have a great year."

One year later, on the other side of the best year of his career, the 25-year old signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Miami Dolphins on March 16.

"I know that my family is set for the rest now, but it's more than that," Lawson said. "I want to have a purpose behind doing it. It's the fact that I can play the game I love and try to be the best at it, because that's what I want to do."

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Lawson, who starred at D.W. Daniel High before attending Clemson, finished his 2018 season with career highs in sacks (4), tackles for loss (5) and QB hits (12). However, the 2016 first-round pick's fifth-year option was not picked up by the Bills, making him a free agent after the 2019 season.

This came as no surprise to Lawson, who had been playing under a different coaching staff than the one that drafted him.

"They didn't bring me in," Lawson said of the new staff. "I wasn't starting, either, so I kinda knew that they weren't going to pick up my option.

"But that just motivated me throughout the year knowing what type of year I need to have so when free agency comes I'll have the opportunity for a big, long-term deal."

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Lawson focused on his conditioning leading up to the 2019 season, cutting his playing weight from the mid-270s to 265 pounds. From the opening game of the regular season against the New York Jets, Lawson could feel a big season coming.

"I remember opening week one with a sack and just got in a flow," Lawson said. "They say once you start getting sacks they come in bunches. Also being dominant in the run game; I took pride in that."

"As a player I just needed an opportunity to be out there. I was doing it in college. I just needed an opportunity to stay healthy."

In May 2016, shortly after being drafted by the Bills, Lawson underwent shoulder surgery. In his rookie year, he played in 10 games followed by 11 games in 2017.

During the past two seasons, Lawson played in 29 of 32 possible games, including 15 games in 2019.

"Taking care of my body on and off the field, just being a professional," Lawson said. "Making sure I got my body worked on everyday. Anything before it started hurting, I took care of it beforehand and they kept me healthy throughout the year."

Lawson was an integral part of one of the top defenses in the NFL last year. He notched career highs in sacks (6.5), tackles for loss (13) and QB hits (18). The Bills were ranked third in total defense and made the playoffs with a 10-6 record.

The pieces started to come together, both physically and mentally.

"At the next level you have to be smart," Lawson said. "You have to know tendencies: what the offense is giving you, formations, sets and recognition. You have to be more a student of the game than relying on ability."

Entering free agency, Lawson didn't know what to expect. While his original preference was to stay in Buffalo, Lawson opted for the division foe on a three-year deal. There was a lot of familiarity with the Dolphins that contributed to his decision.

Defensive line coach "Marion Hobby played a big part. He coached me three years at Clemson," Lawson said. "You got Christian Wilkins down there, a guy I played with and went to a national championship with. so a lot went into the decision, mainly being back with my college coach."

"My goal wasn't to leave Buffalo. I built a bond with them and the fans were so great."

Lawson is not the only notable defensive free agent to sign with Miami. The Dolphins also signed Byron Jones (Cowboys) and Kyle Van Noy (Patriots); they also have three first-round picks in next month's draft.

"I feel great about this year. We added a lot of great pieces on defense," Lawson said. "Putting all of those great players together on one team feels great. We have the chance to be special, but we're going to take it one day at a time."

In a typical year, Lawson would be at his team's facility training for the upcoming season. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented him from moving quickly. Still, the defensive end has been training in Scottsdale, Arizona as well as in Greenville. He expects to be settled in Miami soon.

Lawson's three-year deal sets him up to test free agency again while still in his 20s, with a renewed confidence and new situation, he is hopeful that the best is yet to come.

"As a player I've grown a lot, still building off of last year and carrying it to Miami," he said. "The best is yet to come. Trying to bring that 10-sack-a-season guy down there."