The Giants are trading three-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals after extension talks hit an impasse.
The New York Giants made a blockbuster trade on Saturday night, sending one of the league’s top interior defenders to the AFC. The Giants are trading star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, who are sending the No. 10 pick in next week’s NFL draft in exchange for the three-time Pro Bowler. The deal materialized after talks stalled between Lawrence and New York for the second straight offseason, with the two sides unable to come to terms on a contract extension. The Giants will now move forward in the John Harbaugh era with some uncertainty on defense, but some intrigue for the future now that they possess the fifth and tenth picks in the draft next week.
Lawrence decided that he wanted out after the two sides couldn’t make any progress in extension talks, and he requested a trade after spending his first seven seasons in the league in New York. The initial optimism in talks quickly wavered, and a trade felt imminent after Lawrence failed to report to the team’s offseason workout program. Ultimately, Lawrence felt that the Giants' offers didn’t match his reflective value to the franchise over the last three seasons. He was set to earn $20 million this season and will head to Cincinnati with two years remaining on his deal.
Here is the full story from Giants Roundtable writer Ben Cooper on the end of the Lawrence era in New York.
For Cincinnati, they’ve been searching for playmakers on defense who can be game-changing for them after Trey Hendrickson left to sign with the Baltimore Ravens. The move was a bit more dramatic than anticipated, and they’ve instantly upgraded that unit in the unexpected move.
Here is the full story from Bengals Roundtable writer Ayomide Adeduyite on the major pre-draft trade.
