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6 Realistic Landing Spots for Dexter Lawrence
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- 6 Realistic Landing Spots for Dexter Lawrence
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Unless Dexter Lawrence finds a kumbaya with his current employer, the New York Giants , he'll play for a new team in 2026. The three-time Pro Bowler requested a ticket out of town on Monday. So, here's where he might realistically land.
Minnesota remains an easy team to connect to Lawrence after his trade ask.
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ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted, "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."
"Lawrence and the Giants have been through two offseasons attempting to negotiate a contract reflecting his value to the Giants over the last three years, but there has not been any progress, per sources."
The Most Logical Trade Destinations for Lawrence
Ready for the common-sense Lawrence trade destinations?
Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) celebrates with a coach during pregame festivities at MetLife Stadium, bringing energy to the field as one of the league's most dominant interior defenders ahead of a divisional matchup in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Julian Guadalupe-NorthJersey.com.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
During Lawrence's formative years in New York , a man named Patrick Graham served as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Graham has since bounced around the NFL a bit, but is now employed by the Steelers as the defensive coordinator.
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Indeed, the Steelers already have prominent defensive tackles in Cameron Heyward and Derrick Harmon , but Lawrence could swoop in and take Keeanu Benton 's nose tackle job. Benton is young and a decent DT, but Lawrence is a superstar . Pittsburgh would instantly showcase one of the best defensive fronts on the planet.
5. Minnesota Vikings
Let's get this out of the way: Minnesota has no tangible ties to Lawrence in the front office or on the coaching staff. This connection is solely based on the fact that the Vikings cut two starting defensive tackles last month: Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave .
Surely, Minnesota would sign another defensive tackle, perhaps a younger, more affordable option from free agency, right? Nope. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski signed zero defensive tackles in free agency.
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Therefore, Minnesota has a DT need as the draft gets underway in two weeks. In theory, it could ship its 18th overall pick to New York in exchange for Lawrence and a draft pick.
The Vikings would then feature a defensive front that includes Lawrence, Andrew Van Ginkel , Jalen Redmond , Dallas Turner , and Jonathan Greenard . Unbelievable.
4. New England Patriots
Zak Kuhr worked as a defensive assistant for the 2024 Giants, crossing paths with Lawrence for a season in New York. Now, he's the Patriots defensive coordinator.
New England 's nose tackle heading into the draft is Cory Durden , a youngster with a positive trajectory after one season, but obviously a footnote compared to what Lawrence could bring to Mike Vrabel's squad.
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The Patriots ranked 19th in pass-rush win rate in 2025, an unusually unflattering mark for a team led by Vrabel. Lawrence could help repair that.
3. Chicago Bears
Anthony Blevins spent five seasons on the Giants' coaching staff, overlapping with Lawrence for four of those campaigns. Blevins is a special teams coach, so he has no direct affiliation with Lawrence, but he probably knows the guy after spending four years on the same Giants team.
Sep 14, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson watches players during warmups before a matchup with the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, surveying the field and preparing his team for a key divisional contest early in the 2025 NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images.
The Bears now employ Blevins as an assistant special teams coach.
Chicago could trade for Lawrence and schedule an off-ramp for Grady Jarrett , who isn't known for youth. In 2025, the Bears ranked 31st in pass-rush win rate and 26th in run-stop win rate, two terrible marks for a team that claims to be trending up.
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2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Speaking of run-stop win rate, the Jaguars ranked second-to-last in the NFL one year ago. Liam Coen's team needs defensive tackle help. The current depth chat features DaVon Hamilton and Arik Armstead . Hamilton isn't overly productive, and Armstead is getting old. It's why folks see defensive tackle as a frequent mock-draft need for Jacksonville.
The Jaguars could possibly center a deal around a 2027 1st-Rounder; they don't have this year's because of the Travis Hunter trade.
1. Carolina Panthers
Lawrence is from North Carolina. Often, the hometown angle plays a part when a player joins a new team.
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And the Panthers have big dreams after reaching the postseason last year and winning the NFC South. They could package the 19th overall pick to New York and end up with Lawrence.
Oct 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) dances while running out of the tunnel before a Thursday Night Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium, energizing teammates and fans ahead of a prime-time divisional showdown under the lights. Mandatory Credit: Julian Guadalupe-Imagn Images.
Remember a moment ago when this article revealed that the Jaguars had the league's second-to-worst run defense? Only the Panthers were worse in 2025. Fast forward to the 2026 offseason, and Carolina's defensive tackles next to Derrick Brown are Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton . Bobby Brown and Wharton don't really move the needle.
The team closest to Lawrence's hometown needs extreme and immediate help at the defensive tackle position. The Panthers are a frontrunner to nab Lawrence by a mile. They just need to find the cap space.
