If Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. gets his way, he won’t need to worry about blocking New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence anytime soon.
During an April 13 appearance on “Up & Adams,” Brown said he’d love to see the Bengals trade for Lawrence. The Giants’ All-Pro nose tackle recently requested a trade as he seeks a new contract.
Brown called Lawrence a “baller” who would be a perfect fit in Cincinnati.
“I think he’d be even more of a baller in orange and black,” Brown said. “I don’t know how that kind of stuff goes necessarily; I don’t have all the answers.”
Lawrence, who turns 29 in November, skipped the Giants’ offseason workouts last week, and there are no indications that he and the Giants are moving closer to a new contract.
Lawrence has two years remaining on his contract with base salaries of $18.5 million this season and $18 million in 2027. There is no guaranteed money left on his deal.
A Dexter Lawrence-Bengals trade makes plenty of sense for the Giants
Assuming the Giants are open to moving Lawrence this offseason, the Bengals have the draft capital to make a deal.
Cincinnati picks No. 10 in next week’s draft, but its championship window is rapidly closing. The Bengals must do everything possible to win a Super Bowl with Joe Burrow, who turns 30 in November and has missed significant time with injuries in two of the last three years.
More importantly, the Bengals haven’t reached the postseason since 2022, and lost All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson to the Ravens this offseason. At best, they’re the AFC North’s second-best team behind the Ravens, and they’re likely a borderline playoff team next season.
Head coach John Harbaugh previously said he believes Lawrence wants to remain in New York, but “there’s business involved.” That business has since led to an impasse, meaning his days in Giants blue are officially numbered.
Any conversation regarding a Lawrence trade must begin with a first-round pick. The Bengals parting ways with No. 10 would give the Giants two top-10 selections amid a rebuild.
Asking the Bengals to give up two first-round picks is likely too much after Lawrence finished last year as Pro Football Focus’ ninth-best interior defensive lineman.
However, desperate times are supposed to call for desperate measures, and Giants general manager Joe Schoen would be wise to take advantage.
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