The New York Giants have a significant decision to make on the defensive side of the ball after star interior defender Dexter Lawrence requested a trade, with Athlon’s latest 2026 NFLmock draft predicting he could get his wish on April 23.
Lawrence signed a four-year, $87.5 million extension with the Giants in 2023, making him one of the highest-paid interior defenders at the time. However, the market has since surged, and after settling for just a $3 million raise last season, he is now seeking a new deal with significantly higher pay.
According to reports, Lawrence is asking for an annual salary between $30 million and $35 million. After contract talks stalled, he escalated the situation by requesting a trade.
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Now, Athlon’s Luke Easterling predicts the Giants will grant that request on Day 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. He projects that New York will trade Lawrence to the Chicago Bears for the No. 25 overall pick.
"It looks like Lawrence wants change of scenery, and the Giants could find a willing trade partner in the Bears, who need the interior dominance he brings to the defensive trenches," Easterling wrote. "In return for sending Lawrence where he can make an instant impact for a playoff contender, the Giants get the chance to find their new top cornerback [Colton Hood]."
The Bears had one of the worst run defenses in the NFL last season, and their Super Bowl outlook would improve immediately with Lawrence, who is one of the best run defenders in the league. He is also an elite interior pass rusher, and even though he recorded just 0.5 sacks in 2025, he still produced 34 pressures and ranked 19th in pass rush win rate.
Lawrence is also just one season removed from a career-high nine sacks, and while Chicago would likely need to offer him a massive contract extension, they appear to be in a win-now mode after winning the NFC North last season, and it is possible that Lawrence simply needs a change of scenery to return to peak form.
Meanwhile, New York would struggle to replace Lawrence’s impact. Although adding a player like Colton Hood would strengthen their secondary, replacing an All-Pro defensive tackle is far more difficult, especially with a rookie. That gives Lawrence considerable leverage, but if he does not lower his demands, a trade may become the most realistic outcome.
