There's no sugar-coating things for Shaq Lawson.

"This year I've got to make the team,” the defensive end said. “My job is on the line. I've been saying it since spring. I'm getting tired of saying it now."

Lawson can stop saying it when the talk matches the walk, which is essentially how it's been told to him from the coaching staff.

"Look, I’m not going to hide behind [the fact that] there’s a strong competition there between a few guys, including Trent Murphy, Shaq, and so it’s time for him to step up,” said Bills’ coach Sean McDermott. “I look forward to him doing that through training camp and on through the season."

The Bills showing they're not willing to wait for Lawson to step up, signing Trent Murphy this off-season and placing him immediately in front of the former first-round pick on the depth chart. Lawson looks at Murphy's arrival as a benefit on multiple levels.

"I actually have learned a lot from him,” Lawson said of Murphy. “He's told me about my stance. Changes up my stance. Moves and things like that. So since Trent's been here, I've been getting better from learning from him too and also competing against him."

Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said he thinks Lawson's too young and talented to call this is a make-or-break year, the former first round pick making changes like it is, including dropping his weight to 262, the lightest he's been since his senior year of high school.

"Coach Frazier loves me at that weight and every time he sees me at 262 he's been happy how I'm getting quicker off the ball,” Lawson said. “I actually kind of feel good being at this weight, so I'm going to stay this weight. He says I have more movement. Last year I was a little sluggish, big, and kind of lazy, but now I feel like I'm moving and faster and everything."

Time will tell if that helps the Bills’ wait on Shaq Lawson worth it.