Dexter Lawrence flexed his powerful 6-foot-4, 342-pound frame, and the Giants responded.
The 28-year-old defensive tackle, who created the first turbulent waters in the highly anticipated feel-good John Harbaugh era, was traded Saturday night to Cincinnati for the 10th overall pick in the upcoming draft.
The deal is in place, subject to Lawrence passing a physical.
If everything goes through, the Giants will have the No. 5 and No. 10 picks in the first round.
Lawrence, the 17th overall pick in 2019 who was signed through 2027, was due to earn $19.5 million in 2026 and 2027.
But Lawrence, who had two more years remaining on the existing four-year, $90 million contract extension he’d signed, demanded either a renegotiated contract to bring him up to the prices of the top players at his position or a trade.
The Giants, clearly sensing this would become a protracted situation that would bring unnecessary distraction to the rebuilding program Harbaugh is instilling as he tries to resurrect the team from its 4-13 season in 2025, found a proper price.
Lawrence, using his leverage, went public with his trade request 12 days ago.
Post Giants beat writer Paul Schwartz had reported this week that despite an apparent impasse, the Giants and Lawrence were “still talking” and there was hope he would remain.
Schwartz quoted Harbaugh as saying, “We are working together to get the best outcome for the Giants team. We also respect Dexter fully as a person and player and want him to be happy. We are doing everything we can, as best we can, as responsibly as we can.”
Schwartz also reported the Giants were willing to give Lawrence a significant financial upgrade, but that Lawrence was “dug in on what he wants.”
It’s uncertain exactly the price Lawrence was seeking, because Schwartz reported Thursday that Lawrence no longer wanted an extension, but simply wanted to move on to another team. Reports indicated he had issues had with the way general manager Joe Schoen has built the team.
The Post quoted a source stating that contract talks had broken off and Lawrence wanted out, with money no longer an issue.
When the Bengals offered the 10th overall pick, the deal was done — and a good one for a Giants team trying to rebuild after a succession of losing seasons.
Lawrence was set to make $19.5 million in base salary in 2026 and had already forfeited his $500,000 workout bonus after staying away from the first two weeks of the voluntary program. He was due $19.5 million in 2027.
Now he’s Cincinnati’s financial problem, though the Bengals presumably wouldn’t have made the deal without being willing to pony up the money Lawrence wants in a new contract.
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Jordan Davis of the Eagles and Milton Williams of the Patriots both average $26 million per year, and Lawrence, a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2022, ’23 and ’24), surely wants more than those players.
After a big 2024 season in which he had a career-high nine sacks in just 12 games before a season-ending elbow injury, Lawrence had his worst statistical season in 2025, which is why the Giants understandably were reluctant to give him a huge pay raise this year.
Still, Lawrence’s PFF pass-rush grade of 84.5 in 2025 ranked seventh among all interior defensive linemen in the league, backing up his claims that he’s double-teamed all the time.
Teammate Brian Burns, the Giants top edge rusher who had a career-high 16 ½ sacks in 2025, credited playing alongside Lawrence for helping his production by occupying those double teams. Burns has been on record pushing the Giants to do what they could to retain Lawrence.
Burns did not get his wish, but Lawrence did. And in the end, the Giants got a proper haul for their disgruntled star player, who was apparently never going to be happy continuing his career in Giants blue.
