Opinion: Bengals defense should improve a little with acquisition of Dexter Lawrence

Dexter Lawrence (Google images)

There was a blockbuster trade made in the National Football League on Sunday between the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants. According to Stephen Whyno and Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press, the Giants traded defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence of Wake Forest, North Carolina to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 National Football League Draft.

Nicknamed “Sexy Dexy,” Lawrence has been with the Giants the last seven years. He was selected to the Pro Bowl for three straight years from 2022 to 2024. This past season in 2025, Lawrence had 31 combined tackles (14 solo tackles and 17 assisted tackles), four tackles for a loss, eight quarterback hits, one interception for 37 yards, four pass deflections and half a sack. The interception came in a 21-18 Giants win over the Los Angeles Chargers. The game was best known for being Jaxson Dart’s NFL debut. 

During the three seasons Lawrence was selected to the Pro Bowl, he had 165 tackles (90 solo tackles and 75 assisted tackles), 22 tackles for a loss, 65 quarterback hits, six pass deflections, three forced fumbles and 21 sacks in 44 games. For Lawrence’s career, he has 341 combined tackles (185 solo tackles and 156 assisted tackles), 40 tackles for a loss, 103 quarterback hits, one interception for 37 yards, 15 pass deflections, five forced fumbles and 30.5 sacks.

The fact that Lawrence was traded was not a surprise. Two weeks ago Lawrence requested a trade from the Giants, and the fact he went to Cincinnati, is not shocking either. According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, “the run defense last year (by the Bengals) was as bad as it could have been.” Cincinnati gave up 147.1 rushing yards per game.

The reason why this trade may only be marginally better for the Bengals is the fact that the Giants gave up 145.3 rushing yards themselves in the NFL. So, this is a trade between the NFL’s two worst rush defenses. Still, the Bengals needed a spark, and by acquiring Lawrence, their defense should marginally improve.

Lawrence will be paid well by the Bengals. He has signed a one-year extension worth $28 million.

It should be noted that Lawrence is the third defensive tackle to be traded over the last week. On Friday, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded Maason Smith of Houma, Louisiana to the Atlanta Falcons for Ruke Orhorhoro of Lagos, Nigeria.