The latest development in defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence’s trade dispute with the New York Giants appears to have taken a turn in the Chicago Bears’ favor.
Lawrence — a three-time Pro Bowler for New York’s defense — initially requested a trade from the Giants on April 6 amid ongoing negotiations with the team for a new contract extension that would raise the value of his current four-year, $90 million deal.
Since then, NFL analysts have regularly linked Lawrence to several potential suitors, including the Bears, but there had been no clarity on whether the 28-year-old actually wanted to leave the Giants or if his trade demand was simply a bold negotiating tactic.
Turns out, Lawrence is ready to move on regardless of his contract, per reports.
“If Dexter Lawrence has his wish, he will not suit up for the Giants again,” New York Post senior reporter Paul Schwartz wrote on April 16. “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.'”
More Details on Dexter Lawrence & Giants’ Trade Dispute
Schwartz is not the only one who has reported that Lawrence is no longer interested in signing a new contract with the Giants. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones has also reported that Lawrence “does indeed want out of New York” after failed contract discussions.
Jones also provided vital context from the Giants’ side of the dispute, emphasizing that the team does not need to trade him before next week’s 2026 NFL draft and adding that an acquiring team would likely need to offer a first-round pick to acquire Lawrence.
“Here’s what I’ve gathered: The Giants do not seem too keen on paying Lawrence high-market price coming off his worst statistical season of his career, but they aren’t going to give him away,” Jones wrote. “If they can get a great offer for him — something that includes at least a first-round pick — I think they will deal him.
“The acquiring team will likely have to pay Lawrence’s salary in the high-20s upon trading for him. That would be OK for a contending team needing an interior defensive lineman and realizing this is not the year to hope you’ll get one in the draft.”
Should Bears Consider 1st-Round Trade for Lawrence?
Lawrence is a Pro Bowl-caliber player even after recording just a half-sack in 17 games for the Giants in 2025, but the Bears likely have doubts about paying such a high price — both in terms of draft capital and contract cost — to acquire him for their defense.
If the Giants want a first-round pick in exchange for Lawrence, as Jones suggested, it is likely a non-starter for Chicago. Bears general manager Ryan Poles said the team kicked the tires on a Maxx Crosby trade, but all indications are that the Bears took themselves out of the running when the Las Vegas Raiders‘ price tag jumped to two first-rounders.
Lawrence would not cost as much, but Jones believes the Giants could chase a similar return to the one that the New York Jets received for four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, who netted them a first- and second-rounder from Dallas. Even with an extra second-round pick in the pocket, that’s not ideal for the Bears.
The Bears are also tight on remaining cap space in 2026. According to Over the Cap, they have less than $220,000 available in cap space, and while there are options for creating more flexibility, it would require a brutal amount of hacking and slashing to create the necessary space to fit Lawrence’s cap hit of about $26.9 million in 2026.
Even worse, the Bears might need to pony up a new contract with an average annual value north of $30 million, making it Lawrence’s fit with Chicago even less enticing.
Dexter Lawrence Trade Dispute Takes Turn in Chicago Bears’ Favor