Giants Still View Dexter Lawrence as 'Super Important' Piece

Defensive tackle had a forgettable 2025 season but remains a key part of the team's future plans.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 11:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After the New York Giants hired John Harbaugh as their new head coach, defensive lineman Leonard Williams reached out to his former teammate Dexter Lawrence to express his excitement about the move. Williams, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, believes the change in coaching will benefit Lawrence, who had a disappointing 2025 season but is still viewed as a critical part of the Giants' defense going forward.

Why it matters

Dexter Lawrence was a first-round draft pick for the Giants in 2019 and has been a key contributor on their defensive line. Despite a down year in 2025, the team still sees him as a 'super important' piece, indicating he remains a core part of their long-term plans as they look to turn the franchise around under new head coach John Harbaugh.

The details

Lawrence struggled through the 2025 season, but his former teammate Leonard Williams, who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, believes the coaching change to John Harbaugh will benefit Lawrence and the rest of the Giants' defense. Williams reached out to Lawrence after Harbaugh's hiring, expressing his excitement about the move and how it could help revitalize Lawrence's career.

  • The Giants hired John Harbaugh as their new head coach in early 2026.
  • Dexter Lawrence had a disappointing 2025 season with the Giants.

The players

Dexter Lawrence

A defensive tackle for the New York Giants who was a first-round draft pick in 2019 and is still viewed as a critical part of the team's future plans despite a down year in 2025.

Leonard Williams

A former teammate of Dexter Lawrence on the Giants' defensive line who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, where he recently won a Super Bowl.

John Harbaugh

The new head coach of the New York Giants, hired in early 2026.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I was like, 'Hey, I love this move for you guys,'”

— Leonard Williams

The takeaway

Despite a forgettable 2025 season, the Giants still view Dexter Lawrence as a critical piece of their defensive line and long-term plans. The hiring of new head coach John Harbaugh is seen as a positive change that could help revitalize Lawrence's career and get the Giants' defense back on track.