CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Saturday night.
The trade, which is pending a physical, sends the 28-year-old Lawrence to Cincinnati after he publicly requested a trade from the Giants earlier this month following an impasse in contract extension talks. The Giants now hold the fifth and 10th picks in the first round of next week's draft.
Lawrence, a two-time All-Pro who has spent his entire seven-year career with the Giants, had sought a new contract. He is entering the final two years of his current deal, with a base salary of about $20 million for the 2026 season.
Bengals officials did not immediately comment on the acquisition. The team has prioritized strengthening its defensive line after allowing an NFL-high 2,500 rushing yards in 2025.
"We got a special talent," one Bengals player familiar with the move said, according to reports.
The Giants confirmed the trade in a brief statement but provided no further details. New York had been seeking significant draft compensation for Lawrence, who requested the trade on April 6.
Lawrence recorded strong production as an interior disruptor for the Giants, earning Pro Bowl honors in recent seasons. Details of any new contract extension with the Bengals remained unclear as of Sunday.
The move comes just days before the NFL Draft begins on Thursday in Detroit. By surrendering their first-round selection, the Bengals will enter the draft without a pick in the opening round.
As of early Sunday, neither team had released additional terms or a timeline for Lawrence's integration into the Bengals' roster. The deal marks one of the most significant pre-draft trades in recent NFL history.
