The Cincinnati Bengals have been trying to improve their defense all offseason. Despite making significant additions, signing three defensive starters to multi-year deals worth a combined $125 million, there was no blockbuster move to make up for losing a player like All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who signed with the division rival Baltimore Ravens.
While a blockbuster trade for the Bengals would break their traditional way of doing things, insider Albert Breer did report that the team called the Raiders to inquire about Maxx Crosby. However, once that door closed for the Bengals, another opened as Giants All-Pro defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence requested a trade amid stagnant contract negotiations.
Trading for Lawrence would not only represent the Bengals adding an elite player at a premium position, but it would mean Cincinnati is all in on contending during the 2026 season and maximizing the window the team has with Burrow, Chase and Higgins all in their prime. A new report has increased the possibilities of Cincinnati landing Lawrence.
Potential Dexter Lawrence Trade for Cincinnati Bengals
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported, “The Giants and star DL Dexter Lawrence, who have been talking about a new big-money extension, have reached an impasse, sources say. The Giants have engaged with teams on a potential trade and that will continue. It should come to a head before the Draft.”
Regarding how that affects Cincinnati, Bengals on SI writer Landon Belote said, “This is a clear signal from the Giants to the Bengals and the rest of the league to make the best possible offer to acquire Lawrence, something that plays in the Bengals favor as they could have the most to offer.”
Lawrence has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times in his career, and has been named a second-team All-Pro twice. His performance during the 2022 season led to the Giants signing him to a four-year, $87 million extension. He followed that with another strong 2023 campaign, which led to him being ranked No. 23 on the NFL’s top 100 players list.
In 2022 and 2023, he was Pro Football Focus’ highest-rated interior defensive lineman; however, that has slightly declined since. During the 2025 season, he was ranked as the No. 9 interior defensive lineman and received his worst run defense grade since the 2021 season.
Asking Price for Lawrence
Additionally, Ari Meirov reported that teams who have shown interest in Lawrence are under the impression that the Giants are currently asking for at least a first-round pick. However, Belote believes Lawrence’s potential extension with his next team could lower his trade value. Belote wrote:
“With some sources thinking that Lawrence could demand between $30 million and $35 million annually per SNYtv’s Connor Hughes in an article published last week on their site sny.tv, it is logical to think that the asking price for Lawrence could be lower than a first-round pick.” He added, “This added cost of an extension, along with the Bengals holding a top 10 pick in each of the first four rounds of the draft, could mean that sending pick 41 in the second round along with another pick or even Andrei Iosivas could be enough for the Bengals to acquire Lawrence.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bengals Get Big Update on Potential Dexter Lawrence Trade appeared first on Heavy Sports.