Dexter Lawrence requested a trade from the New York Giants twelve days ago after contract talks stalled.
The Giants agreed to send the defensive tackle to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to multiple reports confirmed by NFL Network and PFT.
The deal remains contingent on Lawrence passing a physical, a step that must be completed by Thursday for the trade to turn into official.
Lawrence, due to earn $20 million in 2026 under his current contract signed through 2027, had sought a new deal reflecting market changes for interior defensive linemen.
The Bengals, who ranked 31st in total defense and 30th in scoring defense last season, have moved quickly to address defensive needs by adding Lawrence alongside free-agent acquisitions Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, and Jonathan Allen.
Cincinnati has not produced a Pro Bowl defensive player from its draft classes between 2011 and 2025, a gap the team hopes to close with veteran additions.
For more on this story, see Brian Burns Urges NY Giants to Keep Dexter Lawrence.
New York now holds two top-10 picks in the 2026 draft — at No. 5 and No. 10 — giving the franchise flexibility to rebuild its roster under the John Harbaugh era.
Despite the trade agreement, Giants officials have continued efforts to retain Lawrence, with head coach John Harbaugh stating they want the best outcome for the team although respecting Lawrence as a player and person.
Schwartz of the New York Post reported that the Giants were willing to offer Lawrence a significant financial upgrade over his $20 million salary, though the player remained unconvinced the offer met his expectations.
Lawrence has remained firm on his desired outcome, creating a standoff that the Giants believe can only be resolved through a trade that satisfies both his contract demands and their need for draft capital.
If completed, the trade would follow a specific sequence: Lawrence would first agree to terms with the Bengals, pass his physical, and the trade would finalize when Cincinnati is on the clock during the first round of the 2026 draft.
This follows our earlier report, 3 New York Giants Players Who Could Be Traded in 2026 NFL Draft.
This timing is intended to prevent another team from anticipating the Giants’ draft selection and leapfrogging them in the order.
Why did Dexter Lawrence want to leave the Giants?
Lawrence sought a new contract after negotiations stalled, citing changes in the market for interior defensive linemen and feeling undervalued following a subpar season.
What do the Giants gain from trading Lawrence?
New York acquires the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, giving them two top-10 selections to potentially draft two blue-chip players and accelerate their roster rebuild.
Is the trade final?
No, the trade is pending Lawrence’s successful completion of a physical, which must occur by Thursday to satisfy the condition set by the acquiring team.
