The Packers Should Stay Away from Trading for DT Dexter Lawrence
By GilMartin
Rumors continue to circulate that the Green Bay Packers could be exploring the possibility of trading for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants. But with the NFL Draft fast approaching, the drawbacks of such a move outweigh the potential short-term benefits. The Packers should stay away from making a trade for Lawrence this offseason.
It’s not that Lawrence isn’t a good player. The former Clemson star has earned Pro Bowl honors three times, from 2022 through 2024. He is one of the few defensive tackles who are capable of both stopping the run and putting consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He recorded 7.5 sacks in 2022 and a career-high nine sacks in 2024 in just 12 games. He also recorded a career-high 28 quarterback hits in 2022 and followed that up with 21 in 2023. Lawrence accomplished all this despite playing on some very bad Giants teams.
There is no doubt having Lawrence at his best on the same defense with Micah Parsons, Javon Hargrave, and Devonte Wyatt would give the Packers a very strong group of pass rushers.
But the concerns right now outweigh the potential gains. For one thing, the Packers already lack a first-round pick both this year and in 2027 after the Parsons trade. Would the Giants be willing to take a 2028 first-round pick when other teams can likely offer them a pick they can use right away? What else would the Packers have to add to sweeten the deal for the Giants to agree to this kind of trade? If the Packers trade three consecutive first-round picks in consecutive seasons, where will that leave team in the not- so-distant future?
The Packers may also not be able to afford Lawrence’s cap hit. His current cap hit is nearly $27 million according to spotrac.com, although some of that includes bonuses the Packers may not be responsible for after any potential trade. His base salary is $18.5 million. But one reason Lawrence reportedly wants a trade is that he is not happy with his salary. So, in addition to giving up significant draft capital and other assets to acquire Lawrence, the Packers likely would have to give him a new contract that would put him at or near the top of the defensive tackle market.
For reference, Milton Williams is presently fifth in the league in cap hit among NFL defensive tackles for 2026 with an estimated cap hit of $28.4 million. Could GM Brian Gutekunst and cap guru Russ Ball fit that much money under the cap for the next few years while also paying Parsons, Jordan Love, and potentially Tucker Kraft while still fielding a competitive roster?
Then there is the age factor to consider. Lawrence will turn 29 in November, and the coming season will be his eighth in the NFL. He has a lot of wear and tear on his body and is at the age where he could start slowing down at any time. The Packers saw a similar decline in production from Kenny Clark in 2024, his final season in Green Bay. And while you could say injuries played a part in that, older football players are more prone to injuries as their bodies break down. The same thing could happen to Lawrence.
Some may say Lawrence already started his decline last season. Despite playing all 17 games for the Giants in 2025, Lawrence saw his sack total drop from nine in 2024 to 0.5 last season. His tackles for loss dropped from eight to four and his quarterback hits declined from 16 in 2024 to eight last season despite playing five more games in 2025.
While it would be enticing to add a proven performer like Lawrence to the Packers defense, his age, the price to acquire him, and the price to sign him are too high to make the deal realistic. The Packers have a need at defensive tackle, but this would be the wrong move at the wrong time.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
__________________________
Comments (49)
BuckyBadger
April 16, 2026 at 08:40 am
What is with the small font?
They can't afford Lawrence so any chatter about him coming here is just that, chatter.
JerseyAl
April 16, 2026 at 09:33 am
fixed.
jaxpackfan
April 16, 2026 at 09:00 am
I think he went to Clemson, not Wake Forest.
JerseyAl
April 16, 2026 at 09:31 am
correct. fixed.
Guam
April 16, 2026 at 09:05 am
If Lawrence were 3-4 years younger, he might be worth the risk, but at 29 with a well below average 2025 season behind him this would be a high risk deal. Big stars with big contracts late in their careers are often more problem child than solution. I would rather see the Packers spend their draft choice on a young NT.
golfpacker61
April 16, 2026 at 02:01 pm
If he was 3-4 years younger Guam, the Giants would be asking for and getting more than 2 first round picks.
Guam
April 16, 2026 at 04:27 pm
He would be Micah Parsons 2.0.
TarynsEyes
April 16, 2026 at 09:40 am
When the player's production drops, he wants a trade, and the reason is the current team is bad, not him, and he believes the team willing to trade for him will give him a better deal, money and years-wise.
This is the red flag of veteran players who know they can't cut it anymore, at least to the level of the salary they want to command, which happens to be the only thing they command going forward, as the play is near guaranteed to be hindered by constant injury and any excuse on hand to miss significant playing time, which many fans will ignore while claiming it a good trade deal because of blind optimism.
These players fall into Moneyball's David Justice thinking; sure, he'll sell tickets at the start, but he won't hit his weight come the dog days, and wondering if he can buy in and be a leader is iffy at best, as he has shown who he is with the trade demand.
The FO already made a trade for a guy who is a 'meme'; do they really need more?
Cheezehead72
April 16, 2026 at 10:38 am
I agree. He is looking for his last big payday which is more than he is worth.
WestCoastPackerBacker
April 16, 2026 at 12:26 pm
But DT guys often play well into their 30’s and he’s only 28. Think of Ryan Pickett who started for GB through age 34. Cullen Jenkins was a starter into his 30s. Calais Campbell is 39 and he has started all 17 games the last 3 seasons. Not saying GB should make a trade but his age wouldn’t be the reason to nix it for me.
golfpacker61
April 16, 2026 at 02:05 pm
Well said WestCoast, this chatter is very reminiscent of the Myles Garrett and Parsons conversations going on last year. A lot of posters poo pooed the idea of getting Parsons, too expensive. There are ways to lessen the financial blow. Trade Players not picks.
stockholder
April 16, 2026 at 09:54 am
How can Gute keep looking for edge players early.?
If DT is what we need now.
The draft picks used to get Lawrence.
Or even trading up to get a edge .
Just takes away from the depth needs.
TT found success in the draft.
The quickest way to a nose dive ; is
believing Sherman was right, and not TT.
nagawicka
April 16, 2026 at 01:55 pm
Two thumbs up
jannesbjornson
April 16, 2026 at 07:39 pm
Which Edge guy is going to stone Derrick Henry on the 1:1 ? Wolf got the Pack into two SBs securing an All-Star front four. Ted snagged Pickett and Raji was the complementary guy with quick feet. The 2014 run to the Epic Fail relied on Julius Peppers taking pressure off Matthews. At least Ted secured two bonafides when he bagged them in Rd One.
PeteK
April 16, 2026 at 10:03 am
He wants out after his worst season by far and two yrs remaining in his contract. He's doing the Giants a favor.
GregC
April 16, 2026 at 10:26 am
Yes, the timing is strange for him to demand a raise.
golfpacker61
April 16, 2026 at 03:21 pm
Lawrence wants a raise because the current contract which he signed in good faith has 2 years still on it and no more guaranteed $$$. He really has no leverage in this situation. This happens too often anymore in sports.
That being said, if all details were worked out in advance, before a trade is finalized, then I would have no problem trading for him. Especially if the cost was a 2nd and a 5th. Or better yet trade Wyatt and his future $20 million per year contract to the Giants for Lawrence. They lose their problem and would be getting in return a younger, talented player at DT. GB gets what they need and I will bet Lawrence would be thrilled to get to play alongside Parsons.
Coldworld
April 16, 2026 at 04:25 pm
A lot of Giants fans were convinced he mailed it in for the entire 2025 season. Certainly they saw him be as diminished from 2024 as Gary was from the first to the last half of season.
That gives me major pause for a guy looking for his last big payday because he got paid earlier and others have passed him. That’s one thing had he risen to the challenge and visibly outperformed his contract.
LambeauPlain
April 16, 2026 at 04:30 pm
Bingo! That's what I was going to type.
(And age 29)
greengold
April 16, 2026 at 10:13 am
Tough call in a draft that’s considered weak at the position. If the price is a 2 and a 5, that’s the kind of deal (Leonard Williams, R2 & R5) that helped SEA win the Super Bowl just months ago.
Seems his performance last season was not representative of what he still offers. The Giants were a super shitty team, with a super shitty HC. They had NOWHERE written on the front of their helmets.
If X wants him, Parsons wants him, and Gannon wants him, if anyone could figure out the numbers, Russ Ball could make it work.
“We can’t afford him. Don’t have the picks to play.” Those were my first thoughts as well. If Gutekunst deems a trade for Dexter Lawrence worthy and viable, I could readily support that, because he’s arguably the best NT in the NFL.
Winning Super Bowls is all that matters. Imagine a year ago someone telling you the Packers would trade for both Micah Parsons and Dexter Lawrence prior to the 2026 draft.
TarynsEyes
April 16, 2026 at 10:36 am
The 'wants' of people needs to be scrutinized by the success those wants brought.
I don't care what X wants.
Parsons wants a guy to help him, not the team.
Gannon wanted in Ari, and it brought them nothing.
I don't know what MLF wants, and I fear he doesn't either.
Gute wants to look like a genius but falls short on most wants.
The fans want an SB but are blinded by the failed wants of others.
I want a team that plays consistent even in a loss, as that's the team that wins it all.
greengold
April 16, 2026 at 10:38 am
I want a Packers team that wins the Lombardi Trophy. 100%.
jannesbjornson
April 16, 2026 at 01:34 pm
Damn straight, go for the Gold. We're getting too old to sit around kicking tires watching Gute draft for the accounting dept.
golfpacker61
April 16, 2026 at 03:24 pm
100% J J, the "window" only stays open for so long. It's about winning now.
jannesbjornson
April 16, 2026 at 07:33 pm
His choices in Rd one of the 2019 draft, cost this team a SB. Brian Burns, Dexter, Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat were on the docket.
jannesbjornson
April 16, 2026 at 01:37 pm
.
Cheezehead72
April 16, 2026 at 10:36 am
The only way the Giants take a 2nd and a 5th for him is no other team is offering more. So let's say they do we still have to pay him what he wants and I can assure you it is more than he is worth. He is 29 years old. He knows this is his last chance for a big payday. If he plays out this year next year he is 30 and he knows at the position he plays he probably will not get paid. I say it is Gute and his teams job to kick the tires and see what it will take to get him but in the end they should run.
TarynsEyes
April 16, 2026 at 11:04 am
Don't allow the Giants to be the winner in the deal. Do that, and GB will have already lost with him.
WestCoastPackerBacker
April 16, 2026 at 12:28 pm
He’s 28.
TarynsEyes
April 16, 2026 at 12:43 pm
Maybe 28 is the new 30.
You make it sound as though every 28-year-old in the NFL, or by position, in this case, can still play to a high level. Huge drops in production aren't always a 'team fit' issue. Sometimes, and more often, it's simply the loss of ability.
WestCoastPackerBacker
April 16, 2026 at 03:37 pm
Or loss of motivation on a crappy team with a crappy coach. DT is one position that guys have played well at into their 30s. This guy is only about 4 months older than Devonte Wyatt.
golfpacker61
April 16, 2026 at 02:18 pm
Thanks for some sanity in your post GG. This reminds me of when the rumors first started flying with Parsons. And actually even going back to the Myles Garrett trade rumors. Everyone immediately says NO NO NO, we can't afford him. The question should be "How can we make this work?"
First off, a 2nd and a 5th are not much for an All-Pro a little over a year ago. Especially an All-Pro at 1 of our biggest PON, and a position we have been trying to fill for years. Number 2, if we were to spend our 2nd round pick on a NT, would he be as good as Lawrence, and isn't that the same thing in reality? A 2nd for a Pro-Bowler or a 2nd for a rookie who has a 50% chance of being a keeper.
Number 3, do we need DeVonte Wyatt if we can acquire Lawrence? Why not offer Wyatt and a 5th or 6th? Or Wyatt and Musgrave? Wyatt $13 million this year comes off the books and how much would his next contract be? $15-20 million per year. Seems like almost a wash to me. And we get an All-Pro who doesn't miss many games. AS GreenGold said, "Winning Super Bowls is all that matters."
Oxymoron 3339
April 16, 2026 at 10:56 am
Not gonna happen. Even if we had the draft capital we can’t afford the new contract he will demand.
GreenandBold
April 16, 2026 at 11:38 am
I’d stay away from Lawrence keep our picks and save the salary cap space . This is a what have you done lately league and his numbers from last season and his age say No .
Since'61
April 16, 2026 at 11:47 am
I wouldn't trade draft capital for Dextor Lawrence at this point. This would be a case of acquiring a player a year too late maybe even 2 years too late. Sometimes the best deal is the deal that you don't make. I believe that is the case with Dextor Lawrence. Moving on. Thanks, Since '61
WestCoastPackerBacker
April 16, 2026 at 03:38 pm
Lawrence is about 4 months older than Devonte Wyatt.
golfpacker61
April 17, 2026 at 08:45 am
Careful West Coast, your answers to reasons not to trade for Lawrence are making too much sense. The naysayers will run out of arguments and start asking the right questions.
1. Would this player put us over "the Hump" for multiple SB runs?
2. How could we make it work financially?
3. Was it a bad year for DL or just a bad team and coach?
4. Is a 2nd for a rookie any different than a 2nd for an All-Pro?
5. Can we trade a player(Wyatt) instead of draft picks?
6. Can we get a reasonable deal in place before finalizing trade?
7. Why not fill a huge need with the best possible player?
8. What if he ends up in the NFC North otherwise?
People need to have an open mind on getting another generational player, maybe for the cost of a current player, Wyatt, and we save $20 million on Wyatt in 2027 to boot.
TarynsEyes
April 16, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Is this trade, if it happens, about moving forward, maintaining a status quo, or not sinking? If the ROI isn't the first, then why do it? The other two mean nothing as others pass you by.
ricky
April 16, 2026 at 01:07 pm
The Packers have a high impact player with Parsons. What they need is other players who can take advantage of the double and triple teams he faces every play. These would be two or three guys who got 8-10 sacks each per year. Keep fresh legs and bodies coming in and overwhelm the other team with numbers and pressure on every play.
After further thought, the sack numbers may be a bit high. But if each guy could get eight sacks and a lot of pressure, that would make the CB's that much more effective. And that is an area of relative weakness for this team.
golfpacker61
April 16, 2026 at 03:08 pm
First off, a 2nd and a 5th are not much for an All-Pro a little over a year ago. Especially an All-Pro at 1 of our biggest PON, and a position we have been trying to fill for years. Number 2, if we were to spend our 2nd round pick on a 2026 draft NT, would he be as good as Lawrence, and isn't that the same thing in reality? A 2nd for a Pro-Bowler or a 2nd for a rookie who has a 50% chance of being a keeper. Yeah, one is more expensive but is almost a sure thing.
Number 3, do we need DeVonte Wyatt if we can acquire Lawrence? Why not offer Wyatt and a 5th or 6th? Or Wyatt and Musgrave? Wyatt $13 million this year comes off the books and how much would his next contract be? $15-20 million per year. Seems like almost a wash to me. And we get an All-Pro who doesn't miss many games. AS GreenGold said, "Winning Super Bowls is all that matters."
If the Giants would take Wyatt, and I don't see why they wouldn't, getting 4-5 years of vintage Dexter Lawrence would be the trade of the century. Right there with trading for Parsons and the Aaron Rodgers trade we missed out on. Offer Wyatt and a 5th, if they say no, we move on to door #2.
Swisch
April 16, 2026 at 09:13 pm
I truly like your creative thinking, golfpacker61,and so an upvote from me.
However, the idea of paying a guy $27 million per year for the next two or three years, when he's up to age 29 and coming off a down season, seems like too big a risk.
Even if some interior defensive linemen have played at top form into their mid-30s, it doesn't mean Lawrence is necessarily going to be one of them.
I'm still a little shaken after signing Bakh to a big new contract at age 30 and then seeing him sidelined permanently by injury going forward. I can see how it seemed like a good idea at the time, but it didn't work out at all. Since then, I'm wary of signing guys at about age 30 to big contracts.
Now, I'm much more open to guys like Hargrave and Franklin who are older -- but come at a much more reasonable salary and don't require much, if anything, in trade pieces.
Swisch
April 16, 2026 at 03:34 pm
Too expensive for too old.
He's coming off of a down season, while reportedly, at the same time, not happy with $27 this upcoming season. Yikes!
In other words, his priority may not be going to a better team but making more money, even though he's making a ton of money already and as mentioned, coming off a down season.
Maybe there's more to the story, but it seems the risk is too big.
I applaud the trade for Parsons last season, but he's in his prime, and he's not just a star, but an elite, game-changing star.
After Parsons, we can't tie up huge money and give up top draft picks for a guy who isn't almost certain to also be an elite, game-changing star.
A reluctant but firm pass on Lawrence. All the best to him.
LambeauPlain
April 16, 2026 at 04:38 pm
Give up a 2 and a 5 for a malcontent just coming off his worst season at age 29 and make re-signing younger, more productive players difficult while creating another cap monster?
Let's think about....NO.
13TimeChamps
April 17, 2026 at 10:05 am
Agree 100%
HawkPacker
April 17, 2026 at 10:26 am
Anything is possible, however we need to realize there are two wide outs and a Tight end that will need to be resigned for big bucks in the near term. The Cap issue is not only today but the future as well. That, I believe, is what Gute and Russ Ball are thinking!
PhantomII
April 17, 2026 at 05:27 am
The Packers need 2 starting level DL...Yea, just like the last 10 plus seasons...We only have 1...A FA....We need another Vet FA...Not backfill random player. A sure thing to go to and WIN a SB...It would be nice if he was younger, but you add Parsons and an Edge rusher collapsing the pocket is a lot more likely....GB has a drawer full of socks with Holes...TIME TO BUY SOME NEW ONES AT ANY POSITION IN NEED....DL is ONE OF THEM.
13TimeChamps
April 17, 2026 at 10:08 am
First off, Lawrence isn't coming to GB without getting a bigger contract, which is reportedly why he wants out of NY. We already have 2 players with monster contracts on the roster, along with 2 potentially pricey restructures coming up for Kraft and Watson.
Last year his sacks went from 9 to 0.5. TFL 8 to 4. QB hits 16 to 8. All in a full 17 game season. That kind of production loss screams decline. I've also seen reports that his loss of production was due to his being unhappy with his contract. Didn't we just get rid of a high priced player that took plays off?
This is a classic case of going for the latest shiny new toy and paying for past performance while ignoring some pretty obvious red flags. This is the complete opposite of the Parsons trade which made a ton of sense. This one makes little, if any, sense.
Alberta_Packer
April 17, 2026 at 12:29 pm
CAVEAT EMPTOR. Another past his prime player seeking mo' money for what he's done - rather than what he will do.
HarryHodag
April 17, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Bad move. They've already paid for a free agent tackle and Wyatt(younger) is due for an extension. Keep mortgaging the future for an expensive now?
George Allen in the early 70's mortgaged nearly all of his draft picks for veterans. The did reach the Super Bowl in 1972 but lost to the Dolphins. He didn't bring them back and left the team with not much talent for a nearly a decade until Joe Gibbs took over.
There's no unlimited gold at the end of the salary cap rainbow. The price for Lawrence would be too high.