Can DT Dexter Lawrence become the Cincinnati Bengals’ next impactful defensive addition?
The Cincinnati Bengals have quickly taken notable steps to overhaul their defense after finishing 30th in total defense during the 2025 season. Cincinnati’s front office addressed glaring weaknesses through free agency, adding safety Bryan Cook (three‑year, $40.25 M), edge rusher Boye Mafe (three years, $60 M) and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (two years, $25 M). Veteran safety Kyle Dugger also signed a one‑year deal to bolster the backend, while cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor adds depth in coverage.
Still, the franchise is still looking to add more reinforcements before the start of the 2026 season. With the 2026 NFL Draft nearing and Cincinnati holding the No. 10 overall pick, one high‑impact trade target could be on the market soon: Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants.
Lawrence has turned into one of the most monitored players of the pre‑draft cycle. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he requested a trade and will not participate in the Giants’ offseason workout program, after a breakdown in contract negotiations. He has two years remaining on his deal, scheduled to earn approximately $20 million in 2026 and $19.5 million in 2027, but has no guaranteed money left.
New York signed him to a four‑year, $90 million extension in 2023, but the rapid escalation of defensive tackle salaries has seen his $22.5 million average annual value fall to around the 11th highest at the position. That has driven frustration on Lawrence’s part, particularly amid the Giants’ lack of team success, featuring only one winning season and playoff appearance during his tenure.
The Bengals Could Join the Dexter Lawrence Sweepstakes
Lawrence’s on‑field résumé establishes him as one of the most decorated defensive tackles of his era. A 2019 first‑round pick (No. 17 overall) out of Clemson, he is a three‑time Pro Bowler and two‑time second‑team All‑Pro whose early career production placed him among the league’s elite interior defenders. From 2022 to 2024, he accumulated 21 sacks in 44 games, including a career‑high nine sacks in 2024, alongside consistent run‑stuffing prowess.
Across 109 NFL regular‑season games, Lawrence has compiled over 340 tackles and 30.5 sacks, with multiple forced fumbles and pressures.
Pairing him with Cincinnati’s existing defensive pieces presents a compelling schematic upgrade. Allen anchors the interior with proven consistency, while young edge talents like Boye Mafe and Myles Murphy, who is expected to make a significant leap after a strong 2025 season, would benefit from the attention Lawrence draws. A dominant nose tackle like Lawrence can collapse pockets and limit interior running lanes, allowing the edge rushers to generate more consistent pressure and opposing offenses fewer easy completions.
Additionally, should Dexter hit the market, Cincinnati could use its No. 10 pick to add a much-needed high‑impact linebacker instead of picking a rookie nose tackle.
But there are also risks and cost implications. Any trade would likely require high draft capital and the Bengals would need to consider extending Lawrence to secure his long‑term commitment. His 2025 statistical regression also factors in; he posted a career‑low 31 tackles and 0.5 sacks despite starting all 17 games, a notable downturn from prior seasons.