Giants Trade Pitch Ships Dexter Lawrence for Underwhelming Haul

Leading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the biggest thing hanging over the New York Giants is the ongoing contract saga with former All-Pro defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.

The three-time Pro Bowler demanded a trade from the team that drafted him, citing an unresolved contract situation.

Lawrence has two years remaining on his contract, but it’s safe to say he’s underpaid. Despite a down year in 2025, he’s still one of the better nose tackles in the league and deserves to be higher than the 12th-highest paid DT on a per-year basis.

If the Giants don’t feel like paying Lawrence, that’s their prerogative, but they should make sure they’re getting an optimal return for their All-Pro caliber defender if team brass opts to trade him.

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Dexter Lawrence Trade Idea is Bad Value for Giants

In a trade idea proposed by Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, the New York Giants would ship Lawrence to the Chicago Bears, netting an underwhelming return.

New York Giants receive: 2026 fourth-round pick, conditional 2027 third-round pick

Chicago Bears receive: DL Dexter Lawrence

“The Giants may not be actively shopping defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence either, but the three-time Pro Bowler is looking to be moved. The timing of the reported request seems to indicate that the 28-year-old Lawrence is looking for a new contract,” wrote Knox.

“If the Giants make Lawrence available at a reasonable price point, the Chicago Bears should be inclined to pounce. Chicago emerged as a legitimate contender this past season, but its defense needs improvement.”

This is the exact type of trade New York should stay away from if they do end up considering trading Lawrence.

Yes, the fact that any team that deals for the Pro Bowler has to give him a new contract is going to bring the price down a touch, but that doesn’t mean you sell him for pennies on the dollar.

The fact of the matter is, an early Day 3 pick and a conditional late Day 2 pick aren’t going to be enough to pry Lawrence from the Giants.

Heck, Osa Odighizuwa went for a 2026 third-round pick this offseason, and he’s never even been an All-Pro, let alone a Pro Bowler.

Surely New York can do better than that.

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Giants Ideal Dexter Lawrence Trade Package

If the New York Giants do decide to trade Lawrence, they should shoot for the stars. The NFL may be a “what have you done for me lately” league, but his resume speaks for itself.

The trade the Giants should be looking to emulate is the one the New York Jets pulled off at last year’s trade deadline with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Jets dealt their own All-Pro defensive tackle, Quinnen Williams, for two premier draft picks. They got a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick back in the transaction.

Lawrence and Williams are somewhat in the same boat. Both are eligible for new extensions and aren’t coming off the greatest seasons of their career, but their past play speaks for itself.

The Giants should want to keep Lawrence in the fold; he’s still a good player and a fan-favorite after spending the first seven years of his career in New York.

But if they do end up trading him, it can’t be for a package of mid-round picks.