The New York Giants’ contract negotiations with star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence took a bad turn on the evening of April 14 amid rampant trade speculation, as NFL insider Ian Rapoport relayed worrisome news.
“The Giants and star DL Dexter Lawrence, who have been talking about a new big-money extension, have reached an impasse, sources say,” Rapoport reported. “The Giants have engaged with teams on a potential trade, and that will continue. 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.
Not long after, ESPN NYG beat reporter Jordan Raanan responded to this update, and the veteran media member said what most fans are probably thinking.
“This isn’t a good sign for the Giants and Dexter Lawrence,” Raanan commented.
The idea of a trade is becoming increasingly real by the day.
Giants’ Dexter Lawrence Talks ‘Shift’ Amid Trade Rumors
GettyHas Dexter Lawrence played his final snap with the New York Giants?
Earlier in the afternoon, on April 14, Giants general manager Joe Schoen spoke of productive conversations between Big Blue and Lawrence.
Somehow, in just a few hours, that changed.
“Joe Schoen spoke today. Said team (he, [John] Harbaugh, [Dawn] Aponte) had ‘productive’ conversations with Dexter Lawrence’s side. Now a shift to the not-so-positive,” SNY’s Connor Hughes replied on the evening of April 14, quoting Rapoport’s update.
Hughes added that “Lawrence’s days in New York might be numbered.”
New York Daily News beat reporter Pat Leonard also reiterated his belief that Lawrence “would be traded” on April 14. Meanwhile, New York Post insider Paul Schwartz published a late-night column on the news of an “impasse.”
“It remains to be seen how news of an impasse affects the relationship between Lawrence and the Giants,” Schwartz wrote. “It could lead to teams checking in with the Giants to determine what compensation might be needed to make a deal.”
“The Giants will not give away Lawrence – considered to be one of their centerpieces on defense – and will no doubt seek a high draft pick this year and perhaps a player, in return,” the NY Post reporter continued. “The interior of the defensive line is not a strength of the roster and losing Lawrence would create a void.”
Dexter Lawrence Update News Puts the Giants in a Tough Spot Ahead of the NFL Draft
Lawrence’s trade request was a calculated move, and this Rapoport leak most likely came from the star lineman’s camp as well.
News like this puts the Giants in a really tough spot. The NFL draft is a little over one week away, and now the NYG brass have to scramble to make a decision before April 23.
To make matters worse, teams are well aware of Lawrence’s very public demands. And that could impact what other franchises are willing to give up.
Hughes reported that the “expected return value” is a first-round pick on April 14. As mentioned above, Schwartz reported a “high draft pick this year” and a possible player.
But with every passing hour, Lawrence’s value goes down.
At the end of the day, the Giants could just hold onto Lawrence until after the draft, but then you run the risk of pushing his trade return to 2027. For a head coach in Harbaugh who wants to win right away, that isn’t very helpful.
Big Blue’s best hope is to spark a bidding war, pitting teams against one another. However, that could be difficult because of Lawrence’s contract demands coming off a career-worst season.
You almost have to tip your cap to Lawrence if you’re the Giants. He’s got the front office right where he wants them, and everyone knows it.
Latest Giants, Dexter Lawrence Trade News ‘Isn’t a Good Sign’