The Chicago Bears, despite recent pleas from a part of the fanbase, will now focus entirely on building the roster through the 2026 NFL Draft with massive news regarding New York Giants star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the Giants have traded Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick in the draft.
“Cincy Dexy: The #Giants are trading DT Dexter Lawrence to the #Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick in next week’s NFL Draft, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Lawrence gets a new deal from his new team while picks 5 and 10 now run through East Rutherford.”
There was a general consensus that Lawrence wouldn’t play for the Giants next season, given a report that his wish was to “not suit up for the Giants again.”
“He wants out,” New York Post senior reporter Paul Schwartz wrote. Now, Lawrence gets his wish, but it’s not with the Bears.
Bears Receive Final Verdict on Dexter Lawrence with Massive Giants-Bengals News
It would have been great to add a player of Dexter Lawrence’s caliber, but the financials would have made it nearly impossible for the Bears.
Chicago is currently dead last (around $200k) in available cap space, according to OvertheCap.com, and even if they were to restructure some contracts or cut a player, that move would have been for the contracts the Bears are going to hand out to this year’s draft class.
The crazy part is the Giants were not only able to net a first-round pick in return, but it was a top-ten selection. The Bears would have had to give up at least pick 25 and additional draft capital to one-up the Bengals’ offer.
It’s best Chicago stayed out of this trade and focus on adding talent through the draft.
ESPN Analyst Weighs in on What the Bears Should Do in Round 1
Defensive tackle is a huge need for the Bears, nonetheless, but ESPN’s Ben Solak made his case on why Chicago has multiple avenues that are available during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
“The Bears would really need to swing for the fences to find an Edge1 or DT1 at No. 25, especially with this poor defensive tackle class,” Solak wrote. “I love the idea of taking a Caleb Banks (Florida) or Peter Woods (Clemson), as both come with tantalizing upside despite high risk. A healthy Banks would change the complexion of this Bears defense immediately.
Alternatively, the Bears could trade back and take a more patient approach, hoping to solve the defensive line problem with a midseason trade or internal development. They need a starting safety opposite Coby Bryant, as both Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker left in free agency. They could also use a contender for CB2 to challenge Tyrique Stevenson (in a contract year) and a center to challenge Garrett Bradbury (a low-end acquisition after Drew Dalman retired). I could even see the Bears going for a receiver early to put pressure on Rome Odunze or an early running back to put pressure on D’Andre Swift. And how worried are they about left tackle following Ozzy Trapilo’s injury?”
In a year where there’s depth at multiple positions of need, the Bears’ best bet would be attempting to trade down and gain some additional draft capital.
Besides, the player they might want at 25 could very well be available in the 30s range.
Bears Receive Final Verdict on Dexter Lawrence with Massive Giants-Bengals News