Dexter Lawrence
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The Giants are figuring out their plan of attack after Dexter Lawrence's trade request
The New York Giants have had a lot of reasons for optimism this offseason. John Harbaugh was hired to take over as the team’s new head coach, and the front office has generally done a good job of supplementing what appears to be an up-and-coming roster. However, the team was dealt a pretty sizable blow involving All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
With two years left on his contract, Lawrence is looking for a new deal from the Giants. The team’s offseason program is set to get underway on Tuesday, but Lawrence won’t be reporting. In fact, he’s requested a trade off the team, as he is not happy with the lack of progress that has been made towards a new contract. The decision has created another problem for New York, but it doesn’t appear to be one it is in a rush to solve.
Giants Not Panicking in Wake of Dexter Lawrence’s Trade Request
Jeremy Fowler
More on the Dexter Lawrence situation coming off @AdamSchefter report that he’s requested a trade.
After getting selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, Lawrence has spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Giants. During that time, he has turned himself into one of the more underappreciated players at his position in the league, as Lawrence frequently does a lot of the dirty work that helps open things up for his teammates.
Lawrence earned three straight Pro Bowl selections from 2022 to 2024, in addition to a pair of All-Pro Second Team honors in 2022 and 2023. However, he struggled in 2025, as he finished the year with just 31 tackles and 0.5 sacks, while also recording an interception and four pass breakups. Lawrence still wreaked havoc at the center of the Giants’ defensive line, but the production didn’t show up in his counting stats.
Even with that being said, Lawrence’s $20 million salary for the 2026 campaign is well below the mark for a defensive tackle of his caliber. One way or another, New York has to find a way to solve this issue with Lawrence, but it doesn’t sound like it is going to rush into any sort of snap decision, despite the fact that the 2026 NFL Draft is drawing near.
“The trade request has been submitted,” NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN said on SportsCenter. “I’m told the Giants haven’t done anything with it yet. They’re gonna have to do something eventually.”
What Should the Giants Do with Dexter Lawrence?
Dexter Lawrence Trade Request NFL Trade Rumors Bears Trade Bears News
GettyGiants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
The problem with the Giants’ train of thought is that their lackadaisical attitude when it comes to Lawrence’s situation is precisely what has put them in this position. Now, there are only two possible outcomes, as the front office will either restructure Lawrence’s deal or trade him to a team that is willing to give him the sort of contract that he’s looking for.
New York has a lot of positive momentum right now, so it’s rather frustrating for its fans to see that momentum get disrupted by a situation that was largely avoidable. In an ideal world, the Giants will figure out what they are doing with Lawrence before the draft, and while all cards are on the table currently, it would be a bit of a surprise if the team ultimately decided to move on from him.