Bengals sign DT Dexter Lawrence to one-year, $28M extension as Insider Reveals Dexter Reaction to Bengals Blockbuster Trade
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II passed his physical with the Cincinnati Bengals and has signed a one-year, $28 million extension, the Win Sports Group told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday.
Lawrence, acquired by the Bengals from the New York Giants for the No. 10 pick in this week’s draft, is now under contract with Cincinnati for the next three seasons.
The Bengals announced Lawrence’s extension but did not disclose financial terms.
“Dexter fits the vision we have on our defense and will also elevate others around him,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said in a statement. “We are confident in Dexter and can’t wait to see the positive effects he and the other players we have acquired this offseason have on our football team. We are excited to turn to the draft and our remaining picks to further enhance our team.”
The Giants traded Lawrence after they had reached an impasse in negotiations on a new deal. He requested a trade after seven years with New York.
The Giants now own the rights to the No. 5 and No. 10 picks in the first round.
Lawrence, 28, was a Pro Bowl selection from 2022 through 2024 and was named second-team All-Pro in 2022 and 2023. He has 30.5 sacks and 40 tackles for loss in 109 career games but is coming off a season with career lows in sacks (0.5) and tackles (33).
The move is a rare one for Cincinnati. According to ESPN Research, this is the first time the Bengals have traded a top-10 pick for a player in the common draft era (since 1966).
The trade helps the Bengals solidify an offseason strategy built around strengthening the line of scrimmage. In free agency, Cincinnati signed former Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million deal and added former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jonathan Allen on a two-year, $25 million deal.
Aside from those additions and the signing of former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (three years, $40.25 million), Cincinnati had a relatively quiet offseason. But Lawrence’s acquisition significantly changes the tenor of the Bengals’ moves. Cincinnati is looking to quickly improve a defense that struggled last season as the team missed the playoffs for the third year in a row.
Insider Reveals Dexter Lawrence’s Reaction to Bengals Blockbuster Trade
The Bengals traded for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence on Saturday night, sending the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the Giants in the process.
Lawrence flew to Cincinnati on Sunday, passed his physical and signed a one-year, $28 million contract extension. He’s now under contract with the Bengals through the 2028-29 season.
“The opportunity to add a player of Dexter’s ability was too good to pass up thanks to the commitment by Mr. Brown, Katie Blackburn, Troy Blackburn, Paul Brown and our player personnel staff,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said in a statement. “Dexter fits the vision we have on our defense and will also elevate others around him. We are confident in Dexter and can’t wait to see the positive effects he and the other players we have acquired this offseason have on our football team. We are excited to turn to the draft and our remaining picks to further enhance our team.”
Lawrence Excited to Join Bengals
Lawrence is expected to talk to the media on Monday. This is the biggest trade in Bengals history. This is the first time they traded a top 10 pick for a player in team history.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said that Lawrence is excited to be in Cincinnati.
“I talked to a source that said Dexter Lawrence is jacked about this trade,” Fowler said on Sunday. “He gets a chance to go play with Joe Burrow, chase a championship. They’re in their window right now, so he likes the change of scenery, very happy about it.”
This is very much an all-in move that the Bengals needed to make on defense if they were going to transform a 6-11 team into a contender. Lawrence signed a team-friendly extension and is a foundational piece that Cincinnati can build their entire defense around.
A game-changing nose tackle that can get after the passer and hold up against the run is hard to find. Lawrence leads the NFL with 108 pressures when lined up at nose tackle over the past four seasons. Vita Vea is second with just 32 pressures.
The Bengals gave up a premium asset, but they added a high-end player that’s ecstatic to be in Cincinnati.
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