Dexter Lawrence
Getty
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 02: Dexter Lawrence II #97 of the New York Giants takes the field against the San Francisco 49ers before the game at MetLife Stadium on November 02, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The trade talks won’t go away with the Chicago Bears, especially after the team has granted linebacker Tremaine Edmunds permission to seek a trade and received calls on quarterback Tyson Bagent, wide receiver DJ Moore, and defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr.
General manager Ryan Poles addressed his feelings on the trade market during an appearance on the Rich Eisen show, saying, “We will be opportunistic in any trades with guys coming or going. So if anyone else is coming in with a bigger contract, we will create another transaction to make sure we hit the cap.”
That said, a lot of chatter has been surrounding how the Bears will address a huge need at defensive tackle. If the team were to ship off Dexter, that leaves Chicago with Grady Jarrett and Shemar Turner as the only DTs (Andrew Billings is a free agent). Now, that likely won’t be the case, but the Bears still need to find avenues where they can improve at defensive tackle.
One dream scenario for many fans was New York Giants’ star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. However, that won’t be the case anymore, according to NFL insider Connor Hughes.
Bears Get Bad News on Potential Trade for Dexter Lawrence
According to Hughes, the Giants‘ coaching staff “loves and wants” Lawrence on the team.
“Kayvon Thibodeaux, per sources, is a player the #Giants are listening to offers on and the belief from teams here at the combine is that he will eventually get dealt. I do not get the same sentiment on Dexter Lawrence. This staff loves him & wants him.”
Thibodeaux would be an intriguing option for the Bears; however, he’s entering his fifth-year option with a $14.751 million cap hit. The Bears would essentially have him on a one-year rental and have to extend him after the 2026 season.
Connor Hughes
Kayvon Thibodeaux, per sources, is a player the #Giants are listening to offers on and the belief from teams here at the combine is that he will eventually get dealt.
I do not get the same sentiment on Dexter Lawrence. This staff loves him & wants him.
Lawrence, on the other hand, would fill a much bigger hole on defense and is one of the premier defensive tackles in the NFL, who has amassed 341 total tackles and 30.5 sacks in seven seasons with the Giants. It makes sense that New York is reluctant to trade him away, and for Chicago, DT help will likely come in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
One Defensive Tackle Prospect to Keep An Eye On
Peter Woods
GettyPeter Woods of the Clemson Tigers speaks to the media during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Clemson’s Peter Woods is a name to keep an eye on, with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen preferring defensive tackles around 300 pounds.
According to NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, Woods weighed in at 298 pounds at the Combine with a 76 3/8 wing span.
“I’m a game disrupter,” Woods said during an interview at the Combine. “I’m the type of guy … that causes offensive coordinators to lose sleep at night planning for me. You don’t really know where I’m going to line up, you don’t know where I’m going to be, but you’ve got to respect it and you’re got to know where I’m at at all times.”
Woods is not going to work out at the Combine, but he’s expected to perform at Clemson’s pro day on March 12th, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.