One week after requesting a trade from the New York Giants over contract issues, All-Pro DT Dexter Lawrence's potential destinations have emerged. NFL Media's Kevin Patra lists the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals among eight teams, as both AFC North clubs aim to strengthen their pass rush amid Lawrence's recent performance dip.
Dexter Lawrence, a second-team All-Pro in 2022 and 2023, had a career-high nine sacks in 2024 despite missing four games to injury. However, his 2025 output dropped to 31 tackles and 0.5 sacks, prompting questions about his form. Any team acquiring the 28-year-old would likely need to pair a trade with a lucrative extension to make him one of the NFL's top-paid defensive tackles.
NFL Media reporter Kevin Patra highlighted fits for the Ravens and Bengals. For Cincinnati, which lost Trey Hendrickson, Lawrence could replace that production and pair with free-agent veteran Jonathan Allen to upgrade the interior. 'Pairing Lawrence with free-agent veteran Jonathan Allen would immediately upgrade a problem area for Cincy’s defense,' Patra wrote, though he noted it might not fit the Bengals' frugal ownership style under Mike Brown.
In Baltimore, under new head coach Jesse Minter, the Ravens struggled with quarterback pressure last season. 'Trading for Lawrence would give them another pass-rush force... A duo of Hendrickson and Lawrence would make the Ravens’ front exponentially more menacing,' Patra added.
Lawrence remains a draft-week storyline, with his market tied to rebounding from the 2025 slump.
