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Everything about New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is supersized – including the contract drama.
With the two sides still seemingly at an impasse in attempts to renegotiate his deal, Lawrence on Monday requested a trade from the Giants, a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about Lawrence's request.
ESPN was first to report the news.
Lawrence, 28, has two years remaining on the four-year, $90 million contract he signed in 2023, but he has no guaranteed money left on the deal.
In his seven years with New York, Lawrence has been at the center of the defense. The Clemson product earned three Pro Bowls from 2022-24. In the last of those campaigns, he was operating at a level that earned him early consideration for Defensive Player of the Year, but a dislocated elbow forced him to miss the final five games of the season. General manager Joe Schoen later indicated the ailment hampered Lawrence last season, when he recorded a career-low ½ sack.
Yet with new coach John Harbaugh arriving and trying to raise the franchise's competitive credentials - which have had just one winning season since 2017 - Lawrence figured to remain a vital figure for Big Blue.
"He's super, super important," Harbaugh said of Lawrence in February. "He's a cornerstone football player. Not really a cornerstone, more like the middle stone. He's right in the middle. He's a very big stone, and he's a very active, athletic one."
Convincing the Giants to oblige that trade request could be tricky, and any team attempting to acquire Lawrence would likely need to pay for a sizable extension in addition to the cost of the deal.
While staying put with a revised contract might be the most reasonable outcome for both Lawrence and the Giants, here are seven teams that could make sense as landing spots if a trade becomes the preferred path:
Dexter Lawrence landing spots
Los Angeles Chargers
Yes, the Harbaugh connection certainly could be at play here. The two brothers have already demonstrated they can table any sibling rivalry to engineer a mutually beneficial deal, as they did in last year's Odafe Oweh-Alohi Gilman swap. But that's not the only factor at play. In terms of fit and motivation, the Bolts stand out as the most sensible landing spot in the league.
With former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter off to Baltimore to replace John Harbaugh, there's no guarantee that Los Angeles holds together what has been one of the league's most sound units the last couple of years. Even after re-signing Teair Tart and bringing Dalvin Tomlinson aboard, the Chargers don't have the sheer force to consistently set the tone up front to Jim Harbaugh's liking. And with Chris O'Leary potentially in for a difficult adjustment as he takes the reins of the defense, why not equip him with someone who can make things easier for everyone around him? With the Denver Broncos having seized control of the AFC West and the Kansas City Chiefs revving back up to reclaim their crown, the Chargers need to avoid the plateaus they've hit under Harbaugh and find a next level. Lawrence could help them reach it, and Los Angeles has more cap leeway - including $48.7 million for 2026 - than many other teams to facilitate a move.
Baltimore Ravens
Another potential fit where familiarity could play a factor is Baltimore. Harbaugh and DeCosta have a certain level of alignment after working together throughout the former's 18-year run with the Ravens. And the latter has exhibited a willingness to take a bold approach in infusing his roster with top talent.
After withdrawing from the Maxx Crosby trade and signing Trey Hendrickson, DeCosta said in March that he didn't envision that the Ravens would "break the bank" on anyone else. Lawrence, however, is the kind of player for whom it's worth revisiting any previous stances. Baltimore's front remains in flux, especially with two-time Pro Bowler Nnamdi Madubuike's future still unclear after he missed all but two games last year with a neck injury. Few franchises can match the Ravens in their appreciation for what a big, disruptive force over center can do for a defense, and Lawrence could help what's been a volatile unit for the last two years settle down under Minter.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Silver and Black have a talent deficiency almost everywhere, but particularly in their interior defense. After having to shoulder a disproportionate load in both the Raiders' pass-rushing and run-stopping efforts since his arrival, Crosby would surely be comforted by being paired with a force like Lawrence. But while the Raiders could fit the bill for a new contract without much trouble, the draft compensation required to complete a deal could be a sticking point. Las Vegas' brass is giving plenty of signs it intends to embrace a slower, more deliberate build around expected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. Relinquishing additional shots at top young talent – either this year or next – in favor of high-priced nose tackle seems antithetical to that approach.
New England Patriots
The defending AFC champions have loomed over the offseason trade market as speculation about a potentially post-June 1 deal for wide receiver A.J. Brown persists. But what if New England mixes things up before the draft instead of after? Securing Lawrence would be a sizable move, but the Patriots could swing it so long as they were prepared to move on from Christian Barmore in the near future. In pairing Lawrence with Milton Williams, the Patriots could amplify their strength up front and give coordinator Zak Kuhr more support in working around an edge rush that still doesn't seem quite up to par.
Chicago Bears
At 6-4 and 340 pounds, Lawrence doesn't fit what Dennis Allen typically prefers in his scheme: Quick-twitch interior penetrators who can get upfield in a hurry. Maybe he'd make an exception for Lawrence, however, given the extensive track record of being a true force multiplier up front. Chicago's breakthrough has already arrived, but the Bears need to leverage every advantage they can get to stay ahead in the cut-throat NFC North. Lawrence is sure to be far more disruptive out of the gates than any player Ryan Poles could land with the No. 25 pick. But Chicago largely is exhibiting restraint in its offseason approach, so this might not be the time to stray from that path.
Kansas City Chiefs
A defensive tackle tandem of Lawrence and Chris Jones would probably prompt panic from offensive line coaches across the league. And Kansas City might have the requisite draft capital for any deal, thanks to last month's Trent McDuffie trade. Adding another wrecking ball up front might help mitigate some concerns about the back end of the defense while also giving Steve Spagnuolo a long-awaited figure to change the complexion of his line. But this would be an uncharacteristic move for general manager Brett Veach as he tries to perfect the high-wire act of reloading a contender and navigating cap concerns.
Jacksonville Jaguars
There are several entertaining scenarios for Lawrence that almost certainly won't materialize. Putting him between Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Will Anderson Jr. and perennial Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter would make for one of the most captivating defensive lines in some time, but the Houston Texans likely lack the financial maneuverability to pull off the move. Cap realities also probably prevent the Buffalo Bills and their new defensive setup from being a factor here. And while the Bengals surely could use a difference-maker at defensive tackle who can stuff the run, Cincinnati simply doesn't strike out with acquisitions like this.
Of all the far-off hypotethicals, however, Jacksonville is the most fun to ponder. Hyperbole-prone general manager James Gladstone has made it clear he has an affinity for singularly talented players - and he's not afraid to pay a premium to get them. That mentality, of course, left the Jaguars without a first-round pick this year after last April's massive swing to move up for Travis Hunter Jr. in the draft. Between the shortage of assets and a prohibitive cap outlook, Jacksonville's candidacy almost assuredly starts and ends in what-if territory.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dexter Lawrence landing spots: These teams are best fits for Giants trade
