Giants Trade Dexter Lawrence to Bengals
In a significant move, Dexter Lawrence, the 28-year-old defensive tackle for the Giants, was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick in the upcoming draft. This trade, announced on Saturday night, is pending Lawrence passing a physical examination.
If everything falls into place, the Giants will hold both the fifth and tenth picks in the first round of the draft.
Lawrence, originally the 17th overall pick in 2019, is under contract until 2027 and was set to earn $19.5 million in 2026 and 2027. However, feeling undervalued, he sought either a renegotiation or a trade to align his salary with top players in his position.
The Giants, recognizing that keeping Lawrence could become a long-term distraction as they rebuild under Coach John Harbaugh after a disappointing 4-13 season, saw the trade as a suitable solution.
Lawrence made his trade request public about 12 days prior, which stirred conversations but ended with the Giants and Lawrence still exploring options. According to beat writer Paul Schwartz, Coach Harbaugh expressed a commitment to securing the best outcome for the team while respecting Lawrence’s wishes.
Though the Giants hinted at a significant financial upgrade for Lawrence, reports indicated that he had shifted focus, no longer seeking a contract extension and instead wanting a fresh start away from the team. Tension reportedly arose between him and general manager Joe Schon regarding the direction of the team.
The Bengals sealed the deal with their offer of the 10th overall pick, which is promising for a Giants squad eager to rebuild.
Initially scheduling a base salary of $19.5 million in 2026, Lawrence recently lost a $500,000 workout bonus after skipping the early weeks of voluntary workouts. Now, he’s a financial question for the Bengals, yet they likely have plans for a new contract that meets Lawrence’s expectations.
Comparatively, players like Jordan Davis of the Eagles and Milton Williams of the Patriots average $26 million annually, but Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowler, seeks a higher figure.
After an impressive 2024 season with nine sacks in only 12 games, Lawrence faced a downturn in 2025, which understandably made the Giants hesitant about offering a significant pay increase this season.
Despite the ups and downs, Lawrence’s performance, highlighted by an 84.5 pass-rush grade in 2025, reinforces his reputation as a player often double-teamed by opponents. His teammate, Brian Burns, noted that playing beside Lawrence helped enhance his own production, urging the Giants to retain him.
Ultimately, things didn’t go as Burns hoped, but Lawrence achieved his desired change of scenery, marking a new chapter in his career, which the Giants saw as a necessary adjustment for their future.
