New Dexter Lawrence Rumors Are 'More Dire' Than Reported amid Giants Contract, Trade Buzz

The New York Giants and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence might be closer to a trade than a new contract.

Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported Wednesday the situation is "more dire" than described in a previous report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, who reported Tuesday the Giants and Lawrence had been discussing an extension but "reached an impasse."

"The contract negotiations between the team and Lawrence's camp have 'broken off,' sources tell the Daily News," Leonard wrote.

According to Leonard, the Giants have received "significant" interest in Lawrence while speaking to teams about a potential trade for him.

Rapoport previously reported that the Giants had "engaged with teams on a potential trade and that will continue," and that the situation "should come to a head before the draft" starts April 23 in Pittsburgh.

"These developments make clear that it is a real possibility the Giants will trade Lawrence," Leonard wrote.

ESPN's Adam Schefter initially reported April 6 that Lawrence would not be attending offseason activities after officially requesting a trade.

Lawrence is set to play next season with a $18.5 million base salary but no guaranteed money, per Spotrac.

The Giants initially made Lawrence one of the four highest-paid interior defensive linemen in the NFL when they signed him to his four-year, $90 million deal in 2023.

That deal now ranks 12th in the category heading into the 2026 season, per Over the Cap.

Lawrence earned three consecutive Pro Bowl selections between 2022 and 2024 before his 2024 season was derailed by a dislocated left elbow.

He returned to play all 17 games in 2025 but didn't return to his previous defensive dominance, followed up a 9.0-sack 2024 campaign with just half a sack in 2025.

SNY's Connor Hughes reported Wednesday the Giants, who renegotiated Lawrence's contract last offseason to add $3 million in incentives, feel "no urgent push to complete a new contract with Lawrence."

According to Hughes, "a late 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, or a package of second- and fifth-round picks were viewed as fair value by those outside the Giants' organization" should the team ultimately decide to trade Lawrence.

Trading Lawrence would save the Giants $13 million in cap space while costing them $13.9 million in dead cap, per Spotrac. It would also mean the Giants risk losing one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL should Lawrence return to his previous level of play.

Whether the Giants reach any resolution with Lawrence over the next week could influence how the franchise approaches the 2026 NFL draft. General manager Joe Schoen currently holds seven picks, including the No. 5 selection, ahead of the April 23 start of the event in Pittsburgh.