The Cincinnati Bengals have secured their newest defensive weapon after three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence completed his medical examination and inked a one-year, $28 million contract extension on Sunday morning. The deal keeps Lawrence with the team through the 2028 season.
Win Sports Group announced the financial details of the extension to various media outlets following the signing.
Cincinnati obtained Lawrence from the New York Giants on Saturday, trading away their 10th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire the veteran defender.
“We are excited to add Dexter to our team,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “He has been a dominant player in the league since he was drafted, and he will be a tremendous presence on the field and in our locker room.”
The 28-year-old Lawrence had demanded a trade the previous week and skipped the Giants’ offseason activities after contract extension negotiations stalled between the two sides.
With the trade, New York now holds three selections within the top 37 picks of the 2026 draft, including their own fifth overall pick and Cincinnati’s tenth overall selection.
Originally selected 17th overall by the Giants in 2019 from Clemson University, Lawrence compiled impressive statistics during his seven seasons in New York: 341 total tackles, 30.5 sacks, and 103 quarterback pressures across 109 games with 102 starts.
While Lawrence earned Pro Bowl honors from 2022 through 2024, he was not selected last season despite starting all 17 games and recording 31 tackles, 0.5 sacks, four tackles behind the line of scrimmage, eight quarterback hits, and one interception.
The Bengals have been actively upgrading their defensive front this offseason, previously signing former Seattle Seahawks pass rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million contract and former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jonathan Allen to a two-year, $25 million agreement.
“The opportunity to add a player of Dexter’s ability was too good to pass up,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said. “Dexter fits the vision we have on our defense and will also elevate others around him. We are confident in Dexter and can’t wait to see the positive effects he and the other players we have acquired this offseason have on our football team. We are excited to turn to the draft and our remaining picks to further enhance our team.”
