Lawrence, 28, is scheduled to take his physical in Cincinnati on Sunday to make the move official
The Cincinnati Bengals understand that they have wasted Joe Burrow’s best years because while the offense has been excellent, the defense has been terrible. So this offseason, the club has been working to improve that side of the ball, and the crown jewel of that work comes in the form of Dexter Lawrence.
The Bengals have traded for Lawrence, the three-time Pro Bowl nose tackle with the New York Giants.
Former Clemson football defensive end Dexter Lawrence in the first half at the annual Clemson Orange and White spring game at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Bengals trade No. 10 Pick
The Bengals give up the 10th overall pick in the draft in exchange for Lawrence. And they are expected to give him a contract extension or extend his current contract, which still has two years left.
The reason the Bengals did this, according to a source, is because they came to believe Lawrence is better than any option they could land at No. 10, who also happens to upgrade their defense.
We told you this was looming The NFL draft was becoming a trade-happy exercise but didn’t know teams would start until the draft even started.
So Lawrence should get his wish. He moves on from the Giants and gets a raise after requested a trade a few weeks ago.
The Bengals get what they want:
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JULY 23: Dexter Lawrence II #97 of the New York Giants speaks to the press during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on July 23, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Lawrence part of major upgrade
Their defensive upgrade this offseason, which already included Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook and Jonathan Allen, now adds a pass-rush threat and run-stopping anchor in the interior of their defensive line.
The Bengals need help. Their defense finished 30th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed last season. (That’s bad).
The Giants don’t necessarily get what they might have hoped for. They have valued Lawrence as one of the league’s best defensive linemen and a team cornerstone for years.
But they nonetheless walk away with a top 10 pick to add to the No. 5 pick they already had in the first round.
The Giants now join a handful of teams with two first-round picks in the first round, but are the NFL’s only team with two picks in the top 10.
The Giants also avoid setting a precedent by giving a player with two years left on his contract a new deal simply because he has outgrown the scope of his current deal.
So let’s see…
The Bengals win.
Lawrence wins.
Giants win.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 14: Maxx Crosby #98 of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during warmups before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 14, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Lawrence Physical pending
Everyone is happy.
Lawrence, 28, still needs to pass his physical to make this move official. He is scheduled to take it in Cincinnati on Sunday.
We know that physically standing in the way of trades has been a thing this offseason as Maxx Crosby struggled during his medical visit with the Baltimore Ravens.
No one expects that in the Lawrence situation.
(Sunday morning update: Lawrence passed his physical and got a one-year extension worth $28 million).
This deal goes down as perhaps the biggest pre-draft blockbuster trade in recent NFL memory.
