Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants
Getty
Dexter Lawrence II speaks to the media during OTA Offseason Workouts at NY Giants Quest Diagnostics Training Center.
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is an outstanding football player who would fill a significant need on the Chicago Bears‘ defensive line, but that doesn’t mean the franchise should pursue him after Lawrence demanded a trade on Monday.
Chicago’s two biggest needs exist at edge-rusher and in the middle of the defensive front, particularly after the team signed linebacker Devin Bush and star safety Coby Bryant in free agency, adding exceptional players to the second and third levels of the defense, respectively.
But there exists a balancing act in NFL team building that matches inexpensive rookie talent with pricier players acquired via free agency or trades.
There are also positional values to consider, as finding rookie talent at premier positions — such as quarterback, pass-rusher, offensive tackle and wide receiver — can keep free agency costs down even when adding major talent, as paying top-of-the-market prices for positions like linebacker, running back and the interiors of the offensive and defensive lines is less expensive comparatively than paying top dollar for the more expensive spots on a roster.
Thus, in a vacuum, it would be ideal for the Bears to use their No. 25 pick on a pass-rusher and expend some draft capital to trade for Lawrence and then extend him on a new contract.
But based on the assets Chicago has at its disposal in this month’s draft, how experts predict the board to fall and the Bears’ minimal salary cap space ($243,078 as of April 6), the appropriate value doesn’t appear to exist regarding a trade for Lawrence.
Dexter Lawrence Trade Proposal Represents Several Forms of Coinciding Cost to Bears
Dexter Lawrence trade request news overshadows Giants signing a right guard
GettyNew York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
First, Lawrence already earns nearly $22 million annually with two years remaining on his current contract ,and he wants more than that moving forward, which is why he’s asking out of New York in the first place.
“Giants All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade and he will not be participating in the team’s off-season workout program that opens Tuesday,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported via X. “Lawrence and the Giants have been through two offseasons attempting to negotiate a contract reflecting his value to the Giants over the last three years, but there has not been any progress, per sources.”
Spotrac projects Lawrence’s market value at $27.2 million annually, approximately $81.7 million total over a new three-year contract. Chicago could bring down Lawrence’s cap hit in 2026 by trading for him, then extending his deal and converting a significant chunk of his base salary into a signing bonus.
However, the team is invested heavily in defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo with mostly guaranteed contracts in 2026. Both deals proved over their first respective seasons in 2025 to be mistakes, with Jarrett showing his age (he turns 33 later this month) and Odeyingbo putting up just one sack in eight games before tearing his Achilles tendon.
Chicago’s pass rush was its biggest weakness in 2025, as the team tallied just 35 sacks total and finished near the bottom of the league in pass rush win rate and quick pressures. Thus, if the Bears are going to spend big money on the D-line, it should probably be on an edge-rusher.
Bears Better Off Using Top Pick on Defensive Tackle Instead of Trading for Giants’ Dexter Lawrence
Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald
GettyOhio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.
Lawrence’s cost extends beyond the money the Giants already owe him and the new contract he wants: the Bears also have the trade price to consider.
Playing the upcoming season at just 28 and coming off three Pro Bowls (2022-24) in the last four years, Lawrence is likely to command the Bears’ first-round pick in trade. An early second-rounder might get the job done also, but Chicago owns the Nos. 57 and 60 picks in Round 2 and doesn’t have a selection in the 30s or early 40s at its disposal.
Dealing the No. 25 pick for the Lawrence not only commits Chicago to paying high-end market price for a non-premier position for years to come, but it robs the Bears’ best chance to ink a Pro Bowl-caliber player in this year’s draft.
The Bears aren’t going to be able to land an elite edge-rusher in the mid-20s. However, they could nab one of the best defensive tackles in this class in that spot.
Drafting a player like Kayden McDonald of Ohio State there and keeping him on a cost-controlled rookie deal for five years, then pairing him for one year with a pass-rusher like Jadeveon Clowney (8.5 sacks in 13 games for the Dallas Cowboys last season) is a less expensive, less risky tactic Chicago can use to improve its D-line in 2026.
The Bears can then revisit the defensive front next offseason when they can get off the remaining money they owe Odeyingbo and Jarrett. McDonald would already be in-house on a rookie deal for four more seasons and the Bears would have optionality, cap space and draft capital to make multiple additions to the weakest section of the roster.