Packers trading for Dexter Lawrence would offer clear upside but come with significant cost and roster implications
Interior defensive lineman requested a trade from the New York Giants. While his future is uncertain at this point, the Packers should carefully analyze the situation to understand if an investment is wise.
Dexter Lawrence requested a trade from the New York Giants and immediately threw a frenzy into the NFL world. A 28-year-old player with two seasons left on his deal, one of the best nose tackles in football can suddenly become available, and it’s impossible not to think about how Lawrence would fit on the Green Bay Packers — you can consider need, strategy, and schematic fit.
But it’s not all flowers. The cost to acquire him wouldn’t be insignificant, and the Packers are already limited in terms of draft capital. So, let’s discuss the pros and cons of acquiring Lawrence at this point.
Pros
Two-year window
We discussed last week that the Packers have built the roster this year with a clear two-year window in mind. Not that it’s all-in on these two seasons, but Brian Gutekunst wants flexibility beyond that. Lawrence has two years left on his deal, so he’s a type of player who would fit the team’s timeline in that sense. The nose tackle is under contract for $20 million in 2026 and $19.5 million in 2027 — sure, the Packers could find a way to lower his cap hit and add some void years, but the real impact doesn’t surpass next season.
Reasonable contract
As aforementioned, the acquiring team would absorb $39.5 million over two years. For a player of Lawrence’s caliber, that’s more than reasonable. For the Packers, the Packers gave Javon Hargrave a two-year, $23 million deal in free agency — Hargrave is five years older and much less productive in recent years, and he had just been cut by the Minnesota Vikings. High-level interior defensive linemen are expensive, and Lawrence’s contract isn’t a bad one.
High-end ceiling
Lawrence is one of those rare players who can do everything at a high level. He can eat multiple blocks, can rush the passer, can stop the run. He didn’t perform as well under Shane Bowen over the past two years, but that can be about fit — he was an All-Pro in his final two seasons under Wink Martindale as the defensive coordinator. A three-time Pro Bowler, Lawrence is the type of player who has a transformational ceiling, despite playing a position that usually doesn’t generate such an impact.
Positional need
The Packers signed Hargrave, but there is still a need at the interior of the defensive line, because the team lost three impactful pieces over the past two offseasons — TJ Slaton, Kenny Clark, and Colby Wooden. Devonte Wyatt and Karl Brooks are both entering a contract year, so adding another option and creating more long-term flexibility is a must.
Cons
If he wants a new deal…
We talked about how reasonable Lawrence’s current contract is, but Connor Hughes reported that he may want a new deal. And that could reach something around $35 million a year. Well, that’s obviously too much. If Lawrence in fact wants this type of deal, there are two realistic scenarios left: One, the Giants will keep him around and find a way to sweeten the current deal. Two, New York will trade him for a much lower compensation than what has been discussed.
Decline in production lately
Be it due to his age or just a bad fit in Shane Bowen’s defensive scheme, it’s undeniable that Lawrence went through some type of decline over the past two seasons. After having two years with at least 60 pressures in 2022 and 2023, being a First-Team All-Pro, Lawrence had 70 pressures in 2024 and 2025 combined (36 and 34, respectively). He also had 16 stops, which is a career lowest for him and the first time he got below 20. Whoever trades for him would have to evaluate if, at 28, he can still return to his prime level.
Trade package
Our A to Z Sports team made an exercise simulating trade packages for Lawrence. Representing the Packers, I offered Dontayvion Wicks, Karl Brooks, a 2026 second, and a 2027 third-rounder. And that wasn’t enough, as the Giants would have accepted a package involving a first-round pick from the Buffalo Bills. After trading for Micah Parsons, the Packers are short in terms of draft capital, and another move for Lawrence would demand a lot — which would stress the Packers’ roster-building process.
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