Giants Face Tough Call on Dexter Lawrence's Future

Extending star DT could provide cap relief, but his recent decline raises concerns

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The New York Giants are facing a difficult decision on the future of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. With limited salary cap space, the team must weigh the pros and cons of extending Lawrence's contract or potentially cutting or trading him. Lawrence is coming off a down season, but was previously considered one of the league's top interior defensive linemen. The Giants must balance Lawrence's past performance, recent decline, and the financial implications of their decision as they look to rebuild a roster capable of contending.

Why it matters

The Giants' decision on Dexter Lawrence will have significant implications for their salary cap management and defensive lineup. Extending him could provide short-term cap relief but lock the team into a substantial financial commitment amid uncertainty about his form. Cutting or trading him would free up cap space but weaken the defensive front and potentially benefit rival teams.

The details

Dexter Lawrence has an option in his contract that would allow the Giants to cut him this offseason while facing a $13.9 million cap charge. However, the team could also look to extend Lawrence, potentially on a two-year deal worth $56 million that would lower his $27 million cap hit in 2026. While extending Lawrence would reward one of the team's best players, the Giants must weigh this against concerns about his recent on-field decline, as he recorded just a half-sack in 2025 after nine sacks in 2024. Lawrence's drop-off is largely attributed to an elbow injury he sustained in 2024, but NFL players are often judged by their most recent performance.

  • Lawrence recorded 9 sacks in 2024.
  • Lawrence had just a half-sack in 2025 due to an elbow injury.

The players

Dexter Lawrence

A defensive tackle for the New York Giants who was previously recognized as an All-Pro but is coming off a down season in 2025.

John Harbaugh

The new head coach of the New York Giants, tasked with rebuilding the team's roster.

Leonard Williams

A former Giants defensive lineman who was traded in 2023 and went on to win a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks at age 31.

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What they’re saying

“Extending Lawrence could provide the Giants with financial benefits over time by distributing his cap hits across multiple years.”

— Dan Duggan, Reporter, The Athletic (The Athletic)

“I'm betting that the 28-year-old comes back motivated to reclaim his status as the most disruptive interior defensive lineman in the league.”

— Dan Duggan, Reporter, The Athletic (The Athletic)

What’s next

The Giants will need to make a decision on Dexter Lawrence's contract option before the start of free agency.

The takeaway

The Giants face a difficult choice on Dexter Lawrence's future, needing to balance the financial implications of extending or cutting him against his recent on-field performance. Their decision will have a significant impact on the team's salary cap management and defensive lineup as they look to rebuild a contending roster.