Either Joe Schoen is a liar, or in the six hours after he spoke with reporters at his pre-draft presser, talks with Dexter Lawrence over his trade request fell apart faster than they ever got going.
Here I was thinking that the New York Giants and Sexy Dexy were heading towards an understanding. I guess that's what I get for taking the GM at his word. During the presser, Schoen told the media that he, John Harbaugh, and Dawn Aponte have had "good conversations" with Lawrence and his camp over the past week or so and that they'd like Dex to stay in New York, adding the caveat that whatever happens, happens.
And by the time Tuesday night rolled around, whatever happened.
Just as I was relaxing and watching the opening night of the NBA Play-In Tournament, NFL insider Ian Rapoport just had to ruin everything with one of the more confusing posts I've seen, probably since the team re-signed Evan Neal earlier in the offseason. Rapsheet reported that extension talks with Dex have reached an impasse and that New York is engaged in trade talks, and things should come to a head before the draft.
Joe's gotta lotta explaining to do.
Giants Dexter Lawrence talks take sharp turn after Ian Rapoport update
What is actually happening? This has to be more than money. If this were solely about dollars and cents, I don't believe things could go off the rails so quickly, especially after Schoen shared the positive development earlier in the day.
It's definitely starting to feel personal for the 6-foot-4, 340-pounder.
If this is solely about money, it's a terrible look for Big Blue and an absolutely horrible look for the Giants organization in general. Year after year, this team proves that free agents are more valuable than homegrown guys, giving big deals to free agents while refusing to take care of the guys they drafted. It's a joke.
Let's be real, the Giants would be a much worse team without Lawrence on it. And they're not just going to give him away for nothing. New York would seek valuable 2026 draft assets in return -- the draft presents a natural deadline.
Related: Giants’ 3-round mock draft goes all-in after Dexter Lawrence blockbuster trade
Even after he took the trade request public, I just couldn't wrap my head around it actually happening. Consider Tuesday night the first time I change my tune. An impasse suggests there's nothing more that can be done to remedy the situation. We'll find out soon enough.
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