It’s not 100% clear that the Detroit Lions are in on the potential Dexter Lawrence sweepstakes. But if they are, they received a positive development this week.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday night the New York Giants “have reached an impasse” with Lawrence. Rapoport then suggested the Giants could agree to a trade involving the 2-time second-team All-Pro lineman over the next week.
“The Giants have engaged with teams on a potential trade and that will continue,” wrote Rapoport on X. “It should come to a head before the Draft.”
The Giants have engaged with teams on a potential trade and that will continue. It should come to a head before the Draft.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on April 6 that Lawrence requested to be traded from the Giants. The defensive lineman is in the middle of a 4-year, $87.5 million contract.
Lawrence has been through two offseasons of negotiations without landing a new deal.
Will Giants Trade Dexter Lawrence?
GettyNew York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence requested to be traded this offseason.
Based on Rapoport’s report on Lawrence, the Giants haven’t made any contract progress with the defensive lineman. That’s likely to make him available for a trade.
With the NFL Draft next week, it makes sense that a deal could be coming soon. Lawrence is clearly open to one, as he already requested to be moved.
What he could cost on the trade market, though, could make a deal complicated. Lawrence made second-team All-Pro in 2022 and 2023. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2024.
But last season, he had just 0.5 sacks with four tackles for loss and eight quarterback hits. The sacks and quarterback hits set new career lows, and Lawrence played in all 17 games.
Any team that acquires him will have to sign him to a new expensive deal. Lawrence will turn 29 years old in November.
The defensive lineman should have at least a few more years left in his prime. But the poor statistical 2025 campaign could be a reason some teams pause at acquiring him.
At his best, Lawrence is one of the top interior defensive linemen in the league. During 2024, he had nine sacks with eight tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits.
How Lions Could Be Fit for Lawrence
GettyDan Campbell and the Detroit Lions received a positive update on Dexter Lawrence in the trade market from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
In a perfect world, the Lions will add an edge rusher to complement Aidan Hutchinson this offseason. But that doesn’t mean they couldn’t use an interior defensive line upgrade and/or depth.
The Lions didn’t re-sign veteran interior defensive lineman D.J. Reader. Besides Hutchinson, no one had more defensive snaps for Detroit than Reader last season.
Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams will return for the Lions along the defensive line interior. But Reader played 583 defensive snaps in 2025, which is a lot to replace with only internal options.
Lawrence could replace Reader and offer an upgrade over Williams next to McNeill.
For now, though, Lawrence coming to the Lions appears to be a pipe dream.
Rapoport didn’t mention the teams engaging the Giants in trade negotiations. So, it’s possible the Lions called. But other teams appear to be more likely destinations for the defensive lineman.
NFL.com’s Grant Gordon wrote there won’t be a shortage of willing suitors. Gordon, though, listed the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars as the likely top suitors.
Lions Get Positive Update in Potential Pursuit of $87 Million Star