Bears just got the green light to pursue adding a superstar player to the defense ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft and it’s worth the cost
The latest update regarding the Dexter Lawrence situation with the New York Giants just made a potential trade even more likely and the Chicago Bears need to pick up the phone before it’s too late.
The New York Giants just gave all of the other 31 teams in the NFL the green light to pursue a blockbuster trade for star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and the Chicago Bears need to be one of the first teams on the line.
Last week, Lawrence officially requested a trade out of New York after seven years with the team. The reason why is because Lawrence’s current contract has no more guaranteed money remaining and isn’t reflective of his true value after getting his contract jumped by other DTs such as Milton Williams and Jordan Davis.
This is usual work in the NFL. When a player is unhappy with his contract, he simply requests a trade simply to put pressure on his current team to pay up for his services. However, the latest update shows the Giants aren’t budging to Lawrence’s demands.
Dexter Lawrence and the Giants reached an impasse in contract talks, making a trade even more likely
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported late Tuesday night that Dexter Lawrence and the Giants have reached an impasse on a new extension with the two sides potentially as far as $10 million apart. Due to that difference, the Giants have engaged with teams on a potential trade with a final result expected before the 2026 NFL Draft.
Now is the time for the Bears to strike and multiple NFL experts believe Chicago should be the team to do it.
Bears need to seriously consider making a trade for Dexter Lawrence, but the cost will be high
The Bears need a guy like Lawrence on their defensive front, even if he’s not the perfect fit for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. A player of Lawrence’s caliber transcends any fit concerns.
Adding a long-term option on the interior of the defensive line is also a glaring need for this team. The Bears attacked the position in free agency but only handed out one-year deals. Meanwhile, Gervon Dexter Sr. is set to enter into the final year of his rookie contract and veteran Grady Jarrett is an obvious cut candidate in 2027.
Lawrence would give Chicago a star player at the position, but the cost will be high. On a new contract, Lawrence will surely be looking for around $28 million a year and potentially $30+ million a year to be one of the highest-paid defensive tackles again.
That alone is a concern for the Bears. Not only would the team have to free up immediate space for 2026 via restructures to absorb Lawrence’s deal, they’ll also have to invest significant future money in him. It’s already going to be a costly year in 2027 with massive extensions on the way for quarterback Caleb Williams and right tackle Darnell Wright.
As for the trade itself, the Giants won’t just be giving Lawrence away for pennies. The return value will likely be at least a second-round pick, and competition could push that price into being a first-round pick. The Bears hold the 25th overall pick in the first-round and two second-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
If any team has the resources to make such a move, it’s the Bears. It’s just whether or not the front office is ready to make such an all-in move after previously balking a such a decision.
