Bengals players waste no time proving Andrew Whitworth right about the Dexter Lawrence trade
Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth believes trading for Dexter Lawrence will have an added layer of impact on the Bengals this year, and current players are already validating him.
Andrew Whitworth was on the record for wanting the Cincinnati Bengals to take big swings.
Trading the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft for Dexter Lawrence certainly checks that box.
Whitworth applauded the move during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show earlier in the week, claiming an all-in move has been a missing piece to his former team’s current window to win a Super Bowl..
“To me, that’s what’s been missing, in my opinion, in the Joe Burrow era,” Whitworth said. “All right, you do have this unbelievable quarterback, you do have some really talented receivers, and you have been able to put up some great offensive numbers, but where are the big swings every offseason that say, I think sometimes you need to put the whole building on notice. We’re all in like we’re going to go try to win a Super Bowl, and that’s the bottom line. And so I think, to me, this was their version of that.”
Lawrence has been one of the best players in the NFL over the past several years. Injecting his ability into the Bengals defense, which was still in need of a star like him, is going to have an incredible on-field impact.
Whitworth says that impact may’ve already been felt.
Andrew Whitworth explains the intangible impact of the Dexter Lawrence trade
Adding a phenomenal player is one thing. The way you do it adds another layer, and it can turn heads in the best of ways.
Sending a top-10 pick for a three-time Pro Bowler is one way to get everyone’s attention.
Whitworth believes the trade itself sends an important message to all those who work at Paycor Stadium.
“It’s more about the message,” Whitwoth continued. “Do I think Dexter Lawrence is a good, good piece to them having the opportunity? Hell yeah, I do. But I also love the message. We’re sending the whole team a message: Hey, we got a window. We’re about to go try to take that window right now. Everybody lock in and let’s go.”
Bengals players are already validating Whitworth’s take
If it looks like an all-in move, and sounds like an all-in move, it may just be an all-in move. Whitworth’s take was immediately validated by several Bengals players Monday leading up to the first day of voluntary workouts.
“Today, we all gave each other that nod of approval,” linebacker Barrett Carter told Charlie Goldsmith. “It’s time to go. We’re building the pieces to go on a run. We all came in with renewed spirits.”
“It’s pretty bold,” safety Jordan Battle said. “We’re trying to win. We all see it. The players see it. Obviously, the front office sees it. It starts now. That’s what we talked about as a defense today.”
“We’re hungry,” defensive end Myles Murphy said. “We’re really fighting for a championship. That’s what you want to see out of a front office. They want it as much as we do.”
Whitworth knew how much a move of this caliber would mean to his first team. Lawrence may make the roster better, but his arrival orchestrated by those who run the club has made an impact that can’t be replicated any other way.
It’s go time in Cincinnati.
Add more players to the Bengals’ 2026 roster with the A to Z Sports NFL Mock Draft Simulator!
