The Bengals today acquired DT Dexter Lawrence II from the N.Y. Giants in exchange for Cincinnati's first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bengals also signed Lawrence to a one-year contract extension through the 2028 season.
Lawrence (6-4, 342), an eighth-year player out of Clemson University, originally was a first-round draft pick of the Giants in 2019. He has played in 109 career regular-season games with 102 starts for New York, totaling 341 tackles, 40 TFLs, 30.5 sacks, 15 PDs, one INT and five FFs. He also played and started two postseason contests, recording six solo stops with a TFL.
Lawrence has been voted to the Pro Bowl three times (2022-24), and twice was selected to the All-Pro Second Team by the Associated Press ('22-23).
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"The opportunity to add a player of Dexter's ability was too good to pass up thanks to the commitment by Mr. Brown, Katie Blackburn, Troy Blackburn, Paul Brown and our player personnel staff," said Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin. "Dexter fits the vision we have on our defense and will also elevate others around him. We are confident in Dexter and can't wait to see the positive effects he and the other players we have acquired this offseason have on our football team. We are excited to turn to the draft and our remaining picks to further enhance our team."
"We are excited to add Dexter to our team," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. "He has been a dominant player in the league since he was drafted, and he will be a tremendous presence on the field and in our locker room."
View the best photos of new DT Dexter Lawrence.
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) celebrates after a sack during an NFL football game between the Washington Commanders and the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Landover, Md. (Michael Owens via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) rushes the line of scrimmage during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. The Giants defeated the Vikings, 31-24. (Ryan Kang via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) talks to his team mates before a NFL Divisional Playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday Jan.21, 2023 in Philadelphia (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) runs onto the field prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) sacks Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) raises his arms as he runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Giants 26-18. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) gives a speech in the team huddle prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) tackles Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle (23) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 27-20. (James D. Smith via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) gets set on defense against the Washington Commanders during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 in Landover, Md. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) reacts during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Kathryn Riley via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) returns an interception during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) warms up before playing against the Washington Commanders in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) runs around the edge as Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Tyler Steen (56) blocks during an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) runs onto the field during player introductions prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
