One of the best defensive players in the NFL over the past couple of seasons has requested a trade. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dexter Lawrence wants out of New York.
Lawrence has two seasons left on his contract with the Giants, with cap numbers of $26.9 and $28.9 million in each of the next two years. There’s no more guaranteed salary remaining for Lawrence, which means teams will be on the hook for his $18.5 and $18 million base salaries. Lawrence is scheduled to make roughly $20 million in 2026.
The San Francisco 49ers’ splash trade for Osa Odighizuwa may have taken them out of the running for trading for another high-priced veteran, but should it? Alfred Collins and CJ West shouldn’t stop you from adding a Dexter Lawrence.
John Harbaugh called Lawrence a “cornerstone football player.” The two-time second-team All-Pro is coming off a season in which he recorded a half-sack and five tackles for loss, both career lows. Lawrence didn’t miss a game, but his production fell off a cliff. The year prior, Lawrence had 10 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
If the 49ers were to swing a trade like this, they’d likely need to part with one of their first two picks and at least one of the rookies from last season. A second-rounder this year, and Alfred Collins may be a blow to the depth, but you’re lining up Mykel Williams-Osa-Lawrence-Nick Bosa. That’ll play.
The other angle, as is the case with most trades, is that if you don’t get the star player, then one of your rivals might. The good news is the Giants are unlikely to deal Lawrence to the Eagles or Cowboys, but that may not hold true for the Seahawks or the Rams.
A “down” year from Lawrence probably means he’ll bounce back in a big way in 2026, regardless of which team. If you’re the 49ers, and you’re not interested in trading for him, it’s best a player of Lawrence’s caliber ends up in the AFC.
