Dexter Lawrence has 'fire in me that I've never had before' after Giants trade him to Bengals

Dexter Lawrence’s caller section successful the NFL has begun, and helium admitted for the archetypal clip since the New York Giants traded him to the Cincinnati Bengals that helium has a "fire successful maine that I’ve ne'er had before."

The Giants fulfilled Lawrence’s commercialized petition connected Saturday, sending the three-time Pro Bowl antiaircraft tackle to the Bengals successful speech for the No. 10 wide prime successful the 2026 NFL Draft — a blockbuster woody that changes things successful the archetypal circular acceptable to footwear disconnected from Pittsburgh connected Thursday night.

Lawrence was the 17th wide prime of the 2019 draft, and helium rapidly became a fan-favorite for the Giants arsenic good arsenic arguably the champion interior antiaircraft lineman successful the NFL.

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Dexter Lawrence II of the New York Giants warms up anterior to an NFL shot crippled against the Pittsburgh Steelers astatine Acrisure Stadium connected October 28, 2024 successful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

But, contempt 2 much years near connected his declaration and a caller authorities with John Harbaugh successful spot arsenic the Giants’ caller caput coach, Lawrence wanted out. In the past, players person utilized that arsenic a strategical determination to get a new, much lucrative extension.

This wasn’t 1 of those times, but Lawrence is viewing this caller determination to Cincinnati arsenic a caller commencement that has him much motivated than ever.

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"They wanted maine present and they admit the enactment that I’ve enactment successful implicit the past 7 seasons," Lawrence told Bengals vigor play-by-play announcer Dan Hoard, which was published connected the authoritative squad YouTube channel. "I admit that and I’m going to bash everything I tin to amusement them that they didn’t discarded [a apical 10 pick]. I’m excited. I’ve got a occurrence successful maine that I’ve ne'er had before, truthful I’m excited. I’m excited to beryllium a Bengal."

It was besides astir wealth astatine the extremity of the day, with the Bengals dishing retired a one-year, $28 cardinal extension, which keeps him with the squad done the 2028 play for a full of 3 years and $70 million. He inactive had $42 cardinal remaining connected his erstwhile woody with the Giants.

Lawrence added that his offseason play successful New York was a "long process," but helium felt alleviation and excitement erstwhile the woody was yet made betwixt the teams.

Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants warms up anterior to the crippled against the Kansas City Chiefs astatine MetLife Stadium connected Sept. 21, 2025. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

"God got maine done it, and close now, I’m acceptable to fto my airy radiance and spell triumph immoderate games."

As Lawrence mentioned, he’s hoping not to beryllium a disappointment successful his caller metropolis considering the magnitude paid by the Bengals to get him. But the 340-pound antiaircraft tackle has been rather the occupation for opposing violative lines, collecting 30.5 sacks, 15 walk breakups, and 341 combined tackles (40 for loss) successful 109 vocation games with the Giants.

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Last play besides marked the archetypal clip Lawrence played each 17 games of his vocation since they implemented the other regular-season contention successful 2021.

"I cognize radical are going to accidental [there’s] pressure, but I clasp it," Lawrence said. "I bring it in. It doesn’t impact me, the pressure. I conscionable cognize who I americium and I’m going to enactment existent to that. I’m going to beryllium the feline to assistance this defence spell to the adjacent level."

New York Giants antiaircraft tackle Dexter Lawrence II gestures during the archetypal 4th against the Philadelphia Eagles astatine MetLife Stadium successful East Rutherford, N.J., connected Oct. 9, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

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As Lawrence looks up to caller beginnings, the Giants, equipped with 2 picks successful the apical 10 of the first-round of this year’s draught — they besides person No. 5 — Harbaugh and the remainder of the squad volition look to deed large with these cardinal rookie additions.

The Giants person made the playoffs conscionable doubly since the 2016 season.