Bengals' Dexter Lawrence Trade Praised by NFL Exec, 'No Price on Keeping' Joe Burrow Happy

The Cincinnati Bengals' decision to trade the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft to the New York Giants for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is drawing praise within league circles.

An anonymous NFL executive suggested to Mike Sando of The Athletic that it was a necessary move to keep quarterback Joe Burrow happy, saying, "This is like the NBA when you are trying to acquire guys to keep your star who is going to leave happy. Is it expensive? Sure, but there is no price on keeping Burrow happy. Drafting Rueben Bain does not make Burrow happy."

Another exec expressed their belief that there wasn't a player in the draft who the Bengals could have taken that would have been better or more impactful than Lawrence, saying, "Dexter Lawrence would be a top-five pick in this draft even at his age. There is no one like him in this draft. He can change their defense, coupled with what they did in free agency."

Lawrence, 28, is coming off the worst season of his seven-year NFL career, as he finished 2025 with career lows in tackles (31) and sacks (0.5), while also recording only four tackles for loss.

Why Dexter Lawrence Is a Perfect Fit For Bengals 🔥

02:08

It was a shocking drop-off for a player who earned three straight Pro Bowl nods from 2022 to 2024, plus Second Team All-Pro selections in 2022 and 2023.

In 2024, Lawrence's nine sacks and eight tackles for loss were career highs, and the Bengals are undoubtedly banking on him returning to that level of production.

Despite having superstars like Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase on the roster, success has been hard to come by in recent years for the Bengals.

They have missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, and their 6-11 record in 2025 marked their worst finish since 2020.

Burrow missing time due to injury has played a big role in the team's struggles, especially last year when he was limited to eight games with toe ailment.

However, it can be argued that poor defensive play has been just as big of an issue for the Bengals.

Last season, the Bengals ranked 31st in total defense and 30th in scoring defense. That came after they were 31st in total defense and 21st in scoring defense in 2023, and 25th in both categories in 2024.

Cincinnati was also tied for 22nd in sacks and last in the NFL in rushing yardage allowed per game last season, which are two areas in which Lawrence should help significantly.

Even with Lawrence, it is fair to wonder if the Bengals have enough pieces on defense to get back to the playoffs and contend for the Super Bowl, but as long as Burrow stays healthy, Cincinnati always has a chance.