The Cincinnati Bengals made a blockbuster trade on Saturday, acquiring Dexter Lawrence II from the New York Giants in exchange for the 10th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Then on Sunday, the Bengals announced they had officially traded for Lawrence and signed him to a one-year contract extension through the 2028 season.
We also got statements from Bengals head coach Zac Taylor and de facto GM Duke Tobin.
“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,” said Tobin in a press release. “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.”
Weighing in at 6-foot-4 and 342 pounds, Lawrence is an eighth-year player out of Clemson who was originally the 17th overall pick of the Giants in 2019. He has played in 109 career regular-season games with 102 starts for New York, totaling 341 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks, 15 pass deflections, one interception, and five forced fumbles.
“We are excited to add Dexter to our team,” said Taylor in a press release. “He has been a dominant player in the league since he was drafted, and he will be a tremendous presence on the field and in our locker room.”
Lawrence has been voted to the Pro Bowl three times (2022-24) and twice selected to the All-Pro Second Team by the Associated Press (’22-23).
A good day to say Who Dey!
