The Cincinnati Bengals turned heads on Saturday when they traded the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Giants in exchange for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II. Just a day later, they’ve now signed Lawrence to a one-year, $28 million contract extension.
Compensation update: Now that he has passed his physical and the trade is official, newly-acquired DT Dexter Lawerence is signing a one-year, $28 million contract extension with the Bengals, per @WinSportsGroup
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So in the end, Lawrence gets the trade he wanted while being… pic.twitter.com/GHT2HbAGah
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 19, 2026
“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,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said in a statement.
The 28-year-old requested a trade after seven seasons with the Giants once talks on a new extension stalled.
Lawrence is a three-time Pro Bowler and has racked up 30.5 sacks and 40 tackles for loss in 109 career games. He’s established himself as elite at pressuring quarterbacks, and the Bengals are bought in.
This is the first time in the NFL draft era that the Bengals have traded away a top-10 pick in exchange for a player. After Lawrence passed his physical, they wasted no time locking him in for the next three seasons.
James Parker contributed to this story.
