Bengals Have Perfect Opportunity to Trade for Star Defensive Tackle

Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade from the New York Giants, and the Bengals should pursue him to bolster their defense.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:06pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a defensive tackle in motion, with sharp planes of orange, black, blue, and red representing the Bengals and Giants uniforms, conveying the raw energy and power of an elite interior defensive lineman.A cubist interpretation of a star defensive tackle disrupting the offense, as the Bengals explore a trade to bolster their defensive line.NYC Today

The Cincinnati Bengals need to continue upgrading their defense if they want a chance to compete for a Super Bowl this season. ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter recently reported that New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade out of New York this offseason. The Bengals should call the Giants and ask about a trade for the All-Pro defensive tackle, as he would be the perfect fit to help improve their run defense.

Why it matters

The Bengals had the worst run defense in the league last season, and adding a dominant defensive tackle like Dexter Lawrence would be a significant upgrade. Lawrence is a top-10 defensive tackle in PFF grade and can both stop the run and provide interior pass rush, which would be a perfect fit for the Bengals' defense.

The details

Lawrence was discussed as a trade chip at the trade deadline last season, but nothing came to fruition. As a result, the Bengals will likely need to put together a big trade package to land Lawrence, as he is not going to come to Cincinnati for cheap, even if he requested a trade.

  • ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter recently reported that New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade out of New York this offseason.

The players

Dexter Lawrence

An All-Pro defensive tackle for the New York Giants who has requested a trade this offseason.

Cincinnati Bengals

An NFL team that needs to continue upgrading their defense, particularly their run defense, in order to compete for a Super Bowl this season.

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What they’re saying

“ESPN sources: Giants All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has requested a trade and he will not be participating in the team's off-season workout program that opens Tuesday.”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN NFL insider

What’s next

The Bengals should call the Giants and inquire about a trade for Dexter Lawrence, as he would be a perfect fit to help improve their run defense and make them a more complete team capable of competing for a Super Bowl.

The takeaway

This case highlights the Bengals' need to continue upgrading their defense, particularly their run defense, in order to take the next step and compete for a championship. Acquiring a dominant defensive tackle like Dexter Lawrence through a trade would be a significant move to bolster their defense and make them a more complete team.