Dexter Lawrence, Giants Engaged in Contract Talks amid Trade Rumors, Joe Schoen Says

The New York Giants are hoping to find common ground with Dexter Lawrence after the defensive tackle requested a trade, and it seems they're making progress.

Per Judy Battista of NFL.com, Giants general manager Joe Schoen said he has "had good conversations" with Lawrence's team in recent days, calling the conversations "productive."

Lawrence requested a trade earlier this month and reportedly won't report to the Giants' offseason program. The trade request comes ahead of a season in which Lawrence is slated to make $20 million.

ESPN's Jordan Raanan noted that Lawrence is considered to be worth a late first-round pick or an early second-round pick in a potential trade, though he added that it would likely take more than that to move Lawrence.

After Lawrence requested the trade, head coach John Harbaugh was optimistic about him staying in New York.

"We'll find out," he told reporters when asked about Lawrence staying with the Giants. "I think the prospects are going to be high because we want Dexter here, I believe Dexter wants to be here. That's a good formula, but there's business involved."

Even before Lawrence requested a trade, Harbaugh emphasized how important Lawrence was to the defense.

"He's super, super important. He's a cornerstone football player—not really a cornerstone, more like the middle stone," Harbaugh told reporters in March. "He's right in the middle. He's a very big stone, and he's a very active, athletic one."

Lawrence had a subpar season by his standards, logging just 31 tackles and half of a sack. In 2024, he had 44 tackles, nine sacks and a forced fumble. Assuming he and the Giants can work out a deal, they'll hope to get that version of the veteran defensive tackle.