The New York Giants have traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The trade saw the Giants get the 10th overall pick in this past draft, which they used on offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. The Cincinnati Bengals handed newly acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence a one-year, $28-million extension, his agency told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Lawrence, who had requested a trade from the Giants, will receive a lucrative contract extension with the Bengals.
Under his previous contract, the three-time Pro Bowler was signed for two more seasons. He signed a four-year, $90-million extension in 2023. However, his original deal didn’t have any guaranteed money remaining. The Giants and Lawrence have been unsuccessful in negotiating an adjusted contract in recent years, which lead to this trade.
New York will take on $13.9 million in dead cap while freeing up $13 million in salary-cap space, according to Spotrac. As for Lawrence, he is now under contract in Cincinnati for three years with an average annual salary of $23.3 million
Lawrence is one of the NFL’s best interior linemen, having established himself as an elite run defender as well as a disruptive pass-rusher. He racked up 21 sacks while claiming three Pro Bowl berths and two second-team All-Pro nods from 2022-24. However, he had only 0.5 sack last season while generating fewer than 10 quarterback hits for the first time since his rookie year.
With the trade, the Giants – now under head coach John Harbaugh’s watch – had two top-10 picks in 2026, as New York also owned the fifth overall selection. The giants would go on to take Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa.
The Bengals have made a good amount. Of moves to help bolstered their defense this offseason. Cincinnati has also signed defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, pass-rusher Boye Mafe, and safety Bryan Cook.
Cincy’s defense ranked 25th or worse in points allowed in each of the past three seasons, with each season feeling like it was worse than the previous.
It’s the first time in the common draft era (since 1966) in which the Bengals have traded a top-10 pick for a player, according to ESPN. The move also meant that Cincinnati went without a first-round pick for only just the second time in the history of their franchise.
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