The Chicago Bears are looking for playmakers off the edge and in the heart of the defensive line, which render them among the most sensible trade partners for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants.
Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported Thursday, April 16 that Lawrence wants out of the organization after two years of stalled negotiations on a new deal that would provide him with a raise on top of the $87.5 million contract on which he is currently playing. The report added that Lawrence’s desires extend beyond financial concerns.
“Despite the ‘good conversation’ between the Giants and Dexter Lawrence’s camp, there now is an ‘impasse’ between the team and the player, with no new contract in sight,” Schwartz posted to X.
The key for Chicago is how much Lawrence will cost. He is worth a considerable amount as one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL. Lawrence earned a ranking as the 9th-best interior defender out of 134 defensive tackles who saw enough snaps to qualify in 2025, per Pro Football Focus.
Dexter Lawrence’s Trade Value May Be Below First-Round Pick
GettyDefensive tackle Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants.
Flipping a first-rounder for Lawrence (No. 25 overall), is probably too rich to make the move worth it, even despite the minimal chance Chicago could get an ace defensive lineman with that pick.
“Chicago has tricky positions of need at edge-rusher and defensive tackle — it has depth at those spots but no star player,” ESPN’s Ben Solak wrote earlier this week. “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.”
However, Chicago’s prospects shift rather dramatically if the team can pull off a deal for Lawrence, who turns in November, for one of its two second-rounders in this draft and a mid-rounder in 2027.
Schwartz reported there has been minimal interest in Lawrence via the trade market in recent days, which likely means New York is asking for a return beyond the general consensus around the league as to his true value.
Khari Thompson of Windy City Gridiron authored a trade pitch Friday that would see the Bears swap the No. 57 pick in Round 2, as well as a fourth-rounder next spring, to New York in exchange for Lawrence — a proposal that hypothetically works for both sides.
Dexter Lawrence Trade Would Allow Bears to Address Offensive Line in First, Second Rounds
GettyOffensive tackle Max Iheanachor of Arizona State.
Chicago would no doubt extend Lawrence by adding at least one more season to the two years remaining on his deal, which would appease the player allow for a transition of much of his $18.5 million base salary into a signing bonus and pull the cap hit down. It would be $20 million if the Bears acquire him this offseason and make no adjustments to his deal.
Adding Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowler (2022-24) and two-time All-Pro (2022-23), would bring an element of QB pressure up the middle Chicago simply didn’t have last season. Lawrence tallied just 0.5 sacks in 2025 after posting a career-high 9 sacks the year prior, but he also produced 34 total pressures and 27 QB hurries last season.
Lawrence was an elite run defender in 2024, finishing second among defensive tackles in player grade in that category, per PFF.
The run/pass elements of defense he brings would also allow the Bears to use their top two remaining picks (25, 60) on bolstering the offensive line. Thompson suggested offensive tackle Max Iheanachor of Arizona State with Chicago’s first pick and center Connor Lew of Auburn with the second.
Bears Trade Pitch Flips No. 57 Pick for $87 Million All-Pro After Latest Report