Dexter Lawrence to Bengals in blockbuster pre-draft trade with Giants

The New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals are finalizing a trade that involves defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence and the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, according to multiple reports.

Lawrence and the Giants recently reached an impasse in discussions about a contract extension.

Earlier this month, a shushing face emoji in a tweet from Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle BJ Hill had fans on social media hoping for a reunion between Hill and Lawrence.

Hill and Lawrence were teammates with the Giants in 2019 and 2020 before Hill was traded to the Bengals in August 2021 for offensive lineman Billy Price.

Social media reactions to the deal, including from Bengals receiver Tee Higgins: Lawrence requested a trade earlier in the month, according to multiple reports.

Rapoport reported April 7 via Twitter/X that Giants head coach John Harbaugh responded to Lawrence's trade request by saying, "I'm not surprised by it. We'll try to work through it.