Buffalo Bills
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Bills linked to Dexter Lawrence.
The Buffalo Bills could make another blockbuster deal to shore up a position of need.
Buffalo already traded for star wide receiver DJ Moore to be the team’s No. 1 receiver. Another area of need for the Bills is defensive tackle, and the team could look to acquire one of the top ones in the NFL.
On April 6, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that New York Giants star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence requested a trade. Now, NFL insider Easton Butler reported that the Bills are among the teams that are expected to pursue him.
“Several teams have called the Giants about Star DT Dexter Lawrence, with some including thePackers,Bears,Jaguars andBills,” Butler reported on X. “Per source, A Quinnen Williams-type trade to start a conversation. IF traded, Lawrence will be moved prior to the draft, but isn’t expected to be moved, regardless of the public trade request.”
Lawrence is in the third year of his four-year, $87.5 million deal. His cap hit is just under $27 million this season and $26.45 million next. So, how the Bills would be able to afford him is uncertain, but Butler expects Buffalo to be after Lawrence.
Lawrence is a three-time Pro Bowler and was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The 28-year-old recorded 31 tackles and 0.5 sacks last season. His best season was in 2022, when he recorded 68 tackles and 7.5 sacks, but he is a good run stuffer.
Lawrence Requests Trade From Giants
As offseason workouts are set to begin, Lawrence requested a trade from the Giants.
The star defensive tackle has been trying to renegotiate his deal. And, with nothing finalized, leading to his decision to ask for a trade, according to Schefter.
“Lawrence and the Giants have been through two offseasons attempting to negotiate a contract reflecting his value to the team over the past three years, but there has not been any progress, per sources. Lawrence has two years remaining on his deal and is scheduled to make $20 million this upcoming season,” Schefter reported.
“Initially there had been optimism that, with changes in the organization, discussions could move forward. But now that they haven’t, new Giants head coach John Harbaugh will open his team’s offseason program this week without one of his best players.”
The news comes just months after new Giants head coach John Harbaugh had plenty of praise for Lawrence.
“How important is he? Really important,” Harbaugh said about Lawrence in February. “He’s super, super important. He’s a cornerstone football player. Not really a cornerstone, more like the middle stone. He’s right in the middle. He’s a very big stone, and he’s a very active, athletic one.”
Ultimately, unless a new deal can be reached, Harbaugh may have to coach the Giants without Lawrence as a focal point of his defense. And that could lead to teams like the Bills looking to land him to bolster their defense.
Bills Changing Defense
Buffalo being interested in Lawrence shouldn’t be a surprise, especially with the team changing to a 3-4 defense.
With the Bills going to a 3-4 defense under Jim Leonhard, having a big defensive tackle is key. Which is what Lawrence is.
Leonhard is also eager to see how the Bills’ defense responds to going to a 3-4 base.
“It’s going to be a change for them, but we’re excited as a coaching staff to really be able to create something that is best for their skill sets and fits their personalities,” Leonhard said.
Even if the Bills don’t trade for Lawrence, Buffalo is expected to draft a defensive tackle.