Star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is reportedly heading to Cincinnati in a deal involving the Giants, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The move comes after ongoing contract talks in New York stalled out, eventually leading to Lawrence seeking a fresh start elsewhere.
Lawrence entered the league as a first-round pick in 2019 and quickly became a central piece of the Giants’ defensive line. Before that, he made a major impact at Clemson, where he was one of the program’s most productive linemen. Over three seasons, he piled up 162 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks, earning All-ACC honors three times along with All-American recognition.
His production carried over to the NFL. Lawrence developed into a dependable presence in the middle, recording more than 340 tackles and over 30 sacks during his time in New York.
Now, the Bengals bring in a proven veteran to strengthen their defensive front, while the Giants move forward with a new direction along the interior.
TRADE: Bengals trading for DT Dexter Lawrence in a deal that includes the No. 10 overall pick heading to the Giants. (via @rapsheet, @mikegarafolo) pic.twitter.com/ixpsXlvEEC
Compensation update: Now that he has passed his physical and the trade is official, newly-acquired DT Dexter Lawerence is signing a one-year, $28 million contract extension with the Bengals, per @WinSportsGroup So in the end, Lawrence gets the trade he wanted while being… pic.twitter.com/GHT2HbAGah
some thoughts on Lawrence to Cincy...<buckle up>Dexter Lawrence is a 28-year old studhe spent most of his career playing vs elite interior OLs of the Eagles & Cowboyshe's been double-teamed at the highest rate in the NFLhe's now playing in the AFC NorthRavens lost…
Talking to several coaches around the NFL right now ... they are STUNNED the #Giants got what they did for Dexter Lawrence. All agree: Very good player, but not worth No. 10. Age, injury and concerns regarding his conditioning pointed out. Also that you need to limit the…
#NFL TRADE#Bengals AcquireDL Dexter Lawrence2026: $20M2027: $19.5M#Giants Acquire2026 1st-Rd Pick (#10)NY takes on $13.9M of dead cap, freeing $13M of space & now hold the #5 & #10 picks in next week's draft.Lawrence projects toward a 3 year, $82M extension in our…
The #Giants did have conversations with Dexter Lawrence's side about a contract "near" $28m APY, however, for them to go there, they wanted more years, per sources. That was denied, along with all others proposed structures. There was never a counter provided to #NYG. Became…
So let me get this straight: it’s a deep defensive draft… so you trade away a top 10 pick where you could lock up a younger player for up to 5 years…. for an older ( but very good) player…who can walk in 2 years as a free agent? https://t.co/IifAAqbSni
DL Dexter Lawrence's 1-year, $28M extension puts him under contract at 3 years, $70M with the #Bengals through the 2028 season.Terms per @RapSheet
WHO IS STOPPING THE 2026 CINCINNATI #BENGALS DEFENSE FROM WINNING THE SUPER BOWL…?DE: Myles Murphy⁰DT: B.J. Hill⁰DT: Dexter Lawrence II⁰DW: Boye Mafe⁰LB: Demetrius Knight Jr.⁰MLB: Barrett Carter⁰CB: Dax Hill⁰SS: Jordan Battle⁰FS: Bryan Cook⁰CB: DJ Turner II⁰🧐🧐🧐 pic.twitter.com/FM9ZiUYNNi
The list of players I’d trade 10 overall even in a mediocre draft is short. And Dexter Lawrence ain’t on it. Not even close.
The last time a veteran non-quarterback was traded for a Top 10 pick was 21 years ago—when the @Vikings traded Hall of Fame WR Randy Moss to the @Raiders for the seventh overall pick and a seventh rounder.Safe to say the @Giants did well with the return for Dexter Lawrence.
Dexter Lawrence going from losing in blue to losing in orange https://t.co/EsyAqwW9X1 pic.twitter.com/3keGrVGwe0
The steep prices paid by the Bengals for Dexter Lawrence underscores two important points about this draft class:This is not a strong draft at the top. The lack of blue chippers is well-established.This draft is extremely thin at defensive tackle.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Social media reacts to Dexter Lawrence being trades by New York Giants