The Cincinnati Bengals have made significant additions to their defense, which allowed the third-most points in the NFL last season.
They first began free agency by signing former Kansas City Chiefs starting safety Bryan Cook to a three-year, $40.2 million contract. Then, the Bengals improved their pass rush as they signed Super Bowl champion edge defender Boye Mafe to a $60 million contract. Finally, the team added some veteran presence as they signed two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jonathan Allen.
However, some around the NFL still believe Cincinnati got worse this offseason. That is primarily due to the departure of All-Pro pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency, as he joined the division rival Baltimore Ravens. Fortunately, Cincinnati still has the draft and the rest of the offseason to change people’s minds and build a true defense capable of contention. And new information has been revealed on a potential move that has recently become a possibility for the Bengals.
New Report Says Dexter Lawrence Trade Is Possible
New York Giants All-Pro defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence requested a trade amid stagnant contract negotiations. That piece of information had been known for some time, and while a trade has not yet materialized, a new report by the New York Post has revealed Lawrence’s stance on his future with the Giants.
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post wrote:
“If Dexter Lawrence has his wish, he will not suit up for the Giants again. He wants out. His desire for a new contract from the only NFL team he has ever played for resulted in talks but nothing substantial from a financial standpoint. And now, he wants to turn the page and move on.
“It is past the point of any further negotiations with the Giants, a source told the Post on Thursday, stressing ‘Dexter wants to be traded.’ As of now, Lawrence does not have the leverage to force a deal. He has two years remaining on the four-year, $90 million contract he signed prior to the 2023 season. Giants head coach John Harbaugh and general manager Joe Schoen have both stated, publicly, that they want Lawrence to anchor the middle of their defensive line as a space-eating, double-team-attracting nose tackle.”
Cincinnati Bengals Trade Possibilities
Despite Lawrence’s lack of leverage, if he truly does not intend to return to the Giants, it does increase the possibilities that the Bengals might trade for the star defensive lineman.
Regarding what a possible trade would do for Cincinnati, Bengals on SI writer Zach Pressnell said, “The Bengals have a hole at defensive tackle. They may have added Jonathan Allen in free agency, but that’s not enough to turn the league’s worst run defense into a serviceable one. The Bengals need to add more, which is why they’ve been closely linked to Peter Woods and Caleb Banks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But a trade for Lawrence fits their Super Bowl window a lot better.”
Adding a player of Lawrence’s caliber while also utilizing the draft to complement their defense would increase the possibilities that Cincinnati’s three-year playoff drought comes to an end.
Bengals Get Dexter Lawrence Trade Hope After New Report