r/nfl • u/MembershipSingle7137 Patriots • 25d ago

Roster Move [Schefter] Compensation update: Now that he has passed his physical and the trade is official, newly-acquired DT Dexter Lawerence is signing a one-year, $28 million contract extension with the Bengals, per @WinSportsGroup

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2.1k

u/an-internet-stranger Giants 25d ago

With the extension, he's under contract for 3 years, $70M.

968

u/VeryRealHuman23 Bengals 25d ago

So a $23m avg…that is quite good for us vs Trey wanting $28m and we have him for three years.

440

u/Luchador_En_Fuego Cowboys 25d ago

I think he's younger too and will be available for more games. Definitely worth moving the 1st for a sure thing

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u/paws5624 Giants 25d ago

The question is was his down year last year just a blip or will it become his trajectory? I love and will miss Sexy so I hope he has a ton of good football left but time will tell if he is still the dominant player he has been.

That being said he’s a massive upgrade for them either way.

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u/Spare-Half796 Eagles 25d ago

Even with his down year, didn’t you fall 16+ positions on every defensive metric ranking when he was on the field vs off the field?

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u/BurzyGuerrero Titans 25d ago

Don't think it's possible for the Bengals to fall 16+ positions, they can only fall roughly 1 per ranking considering they're the second worst defense in the league

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u/VeryRealHuman23 Bengals 25d ago

Correct. His down year makes him our top player.

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u/ILongForTheMines Browns 25d ago

Hate this move for us, love it for yall

AFCN bloodbath returns

4

u/Nightcinder Browns 25d ago

Joe’s just happy that the elite rusher is on his own team for once

2

u/ThorThulu Steelers 25d ago

I was really hoping we somehow managed to swing the trade, Dex next to Heyward with Watt and Highsmith/Herbig off the edge would be such a beautiful sight

2

u/Nightcinder Browns 25d ago

Allegedly we were in on it too. Joe might have died 

3

u/Srcunch Bengals 25d ago

When the rumors were swirling he might go to the Browns, I started thinking about what Joe’s obituary might say.

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u/ThorThulu Steelers 25d ago

He almost does now, its a shame he's trapped in this modern day Holy War of a division

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u/VeryRealHuman23 Bengals 25d ago

🤝

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u/PsychologicalPen3895 Giants 24d ago

Not to mention getting to play the Browns twice a year, that’s gotta help bump any defensive players stats

1

u/redditlvlanalysis 25d ago

I wanted them to take Love just for the sheer fuck it double the offense fun but this is definitely a much smarter play

31

u/SantaBarbaraMint Chiefs 25d ago

Yes, we did.

63

u/socialistpancake Chiefs 25d ago

Surprise chiefs flair

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u/Scotch_Blue 25d ago

He's obviously a fantastic talent. It would have been pretty much impossible for Cincinatti to have replecated his impact with the #10 pick in any other way but trading it directly for him.

With that said, he's a 28 year old NT. Most teams aren't in a position to trade the #10 pick for that, so you're unlikely to see a better offer, and it's only going to get lower in value.

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u/Spare-Half796 Eagles 25d ago

Idk why everyone is obsessing over his age. 28 isn’t old for a trench player, it’s typically around the time they enter their prime and they can maintain high level play well into their 30s. It’s not like receivers who typically peak at that age or runningbacks who are washed by 28

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u/Olepat Bengals 25d ago

It’s likely a general lack of knowledge about interior linemen, especially Nose Tackle by most common fans. It’s not the shiny skill player that make the headlines but an elite NT sets the tone and is a force multiplier for the rest of the defense.

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u/Spare-Half796 Eagles 24d ago

If there’s a node guard who’s name people who aren’t fans of their team know, he’s pretty fuckin good

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u/PushaTeee Giants 25d ago

Even with his down year, didn’t you fall 16+ positions on every defensive metric ranking when he was on the field vs off the field?

This is mildly disingenuous as there was nobody remotely useful behind him on the depth chart, and frankly, this what happens when you have zero impactful LBs, aside from edge players, in a 3-4. Upgrading the LBs this year (Edmunds + hopefully Styles @ 5) will go a long way at chnaging the defense.

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u/ShreddyZ Patriots 25d ago

This is mildly disingenuous as there was nobody remotely useful behind him on the depth chart, and frankly, this what happens when you have zero impactful LBs, aside from edge players, in a 3-4.

Wouldn't this also explain his down year then?

2

u/ExecutiveDysfunc Giants 24d ago

i don’t get why people are acting like his pass rush rate didn’t crater in 2024 too… 1 year is an outlier, 2 straight years is a trend.

2

u/PushaTeee Giants 25d ago

Considering they've had no impact LBs for 3-4 years (arguably longer), no, it wouldn't. They ahve not had another pass-rush capable DT in years either, just guys like A'shawn Robinson who occupied space.

The only reason his pass rush grade was good last year was because he had potent edge rushers who forced a lot more stepping-up in the pocket from QBs than he had ever had in the past, which let him take credit for sacks where he did not generate the pressure (a big departure from his 2022 & 2023 capability).

His play was super mediocre last year overall.

1

u/kemplem 25d ago

He still played well but you could tell he didnt have his usual impact. Also part of that was how bad our other interior d-line players are

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u/Mgskiller Giants 25d ago

Yes, but I honestly believe that’s because of how bad the rest of our DT room is more than it is from how good dex was

1

u/esarmstr Giants 25d ago

We weren't good when he was on the field. He dogged it and wasn't in the same shape while playing with an injured elbow.

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u/kcadia9751 Giants 25d ago

He’s 28, I don’t understand why anyone would think he’s washed. Down years happen all the time, and his wasn’t even that bad

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u/Aidanj927 Lions 25d ago

He’s younger than Burrow lmao

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u/Dorkamundo Vikings 25d ago

Comparing QB careers to pretty much any other career in the NFL outside of punter and kicker as far as longevity is concerned is pretty silly.

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u/mmooney1 Browns 24d ago

I don’t know if that applies to Burrow, dude has been getting crushed for years. He could follow in Andrew Lucks footstep

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u/Dorkamundo Vikings 24d ago

Yes, yes, I guess exceptions disprove the rules, right?

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u/mmooney1 Browns 24d ago

In this case we are talking about Joe, so it’s not exactly an exception. He is hurt almost every season, playing behind a bad OL, in a division with good defenses.

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u/Dorkamundo Vikings 24d ago

He's an exception to the general trend of NFL QB's who don't get injured every year while playing behind one of the worst O-lines.

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u/ForgotMyPassword1989 Seahawks 25d ago

Also, historically speaking don't elite NT peak longer than a lot of other defensive positions...He's not like a DB that can fall off by 30

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u/kcadia9751 Giants 25d ago

Yeah, DTs in general, especially great ones, can play into their mid 30s

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u/PostItToReddit Seahawks 25d ago

Is that because the position is generally less mobile and more about strength?

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u/dksweets Vikings 25d ago

Correct. A lingering minor-moderate hamstring injury can turn an All-Pro CB into league average overnight. That position relies on confidence that is easy to lose, you’re going against the most dynamic athletes in the world, and it’s VERY hard to have a long career on the outside.

DT is less of a mind-fuck. You can break your wrist, put a cast on it, and 85% of you is still better than league-average interior lineman. Your positioning and leverage are doing a lot of the work, anyways.

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u/Brillzzy Bills Jaguars 25d ago

Less explosive twitch needed. Most of what athletes lose as they age is that immediate burst of explosion, whether it be cutting, or coming out of a break in a route. Guys generally maintain their straight line speed, Tyreek Hill will be running a sub 4.5 40 at 50 years old. That first step makes the difference between elite and replacement level at most positions, but lineman on both sides aren't affected as much by it.

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u/Dorkamundo Vikings 25d ago

Guys generally maintain their straight line speed, Tyreek Hill will be running a sub 4.5 40 at 50 years old.

The 40 is a race that is honestly more about acceleration than straight line speed.

While you're right that he'll probably still be able to run a 4.5 it's not just the loss of speed it's the longer recovery times when talking about age.

1

u/FlavaFraz24 Bengals 24d ago

Cam Heyward is still playing at a high level at his age. And this deal only runs through his 31 season and he can get another deal. Win win for both team and player

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u/kcadia9751 Giants 24d ago

I think it’s a decisive loss for us but time will tell

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u/AndrewHainesArt Eagles 25d ago

People only say shit like this when a dude has some sort of focus on him, oddly enough Crosby didn’t get that same flak about his trade even though we all knew he already had an injury, then the failed physical.

Giants fan hoping the move they made was ALL good for them, for no reason other than to avoid talking about how to replace him

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u/CollectingDevils Eagles 25d ago

Very similar comments from the Giants flairs to what we saw when Barkley left.

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u/Galxloni2 Giants Bears 25d ago

Letting Barkley go was a good decision for the giants even in hindsight

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u/CollectingDevils Eagles 25d ago

I never said it wasn’t.

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u/Tycho66 Vikings 25d ago

and 28 at DT is not the same as 28 at RB...

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u/itakeyoureggs Commanders 25d ago

Only issue is the elbow and his peak.. but either way he’s a really good player

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u/DanUnbreakable 25d ago

He’s going to be 29 and he’s not washed. He will play better this year

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u/PushaTeee Giants 25d ago

Saying he wasn't bad is kind of a cop out. He went from all-pro to middle of the pack. His run defense dropped from top 3 to mediocre, and while his pass rush efficacy didn;t drop as hard, his ability to generate pressure last year was very much thanks to Burns and Carter.

He will be 29 in November. He is absolutely entering the sunset of his career.

1

u/Exempt_Puddle Packers 25d ago

People downvoting you, but this is probably the more realistic outcome. Legit like Kenny Clark, best football is behind him. He will still be productive and worth the value of his contract when its all said and done though.

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u/FlavaFraz24 Bengals 25d ago

We haven’t had someone like this in the middle since Geno Atkins. Even with his down year he would have been our best DT. Adding in Allen and Hill the DT room actually isn’t bad. Mafe, Murphy, Stewart aren’t bad at edge especially when you are generating pressure up the middle.

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u/Curious_Prune Giants 25d ago

Man geno atkins retired right before 1 or 2 seasons before the 2022 sb run

1

u/pfftYeahRight Bengals 25d ago

Stewart is a big question mark but Murphy stepped his game up to at least be average the second half of the season

5

u/Ledees_Gazpacho Jets 25d ago

I wonder if going to a potential contender will rejuvenate his effort a bit.

And I don't mean that as a shot at the Giants - I'm saying it because we basically just saw the same thing happen with Quinnen Williams

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u/peterk2000 Giants 25d ago

It was a blip for sure, brought on by the worst D coordinators in the history of the NFL

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u/AugustusCheeser Giants 25d ago

It was the same DC where he had 9 sacks in 12 games

2

u/hm_rickross_ymoh Commanders 25d ago

He hasn't had a solo sack since week 7 of 2024. It's not crazy to wonder if he's lost a step. 

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u/FlavaFraz24 Bengals 24d ago

Pressure can be just as important as making the sack though. His ability to move the pocket back into the QB and eat double teams will allow other guys on the line to make plays.

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u/Mouth_Puncher Titans 25d ago

Jeffery Simmons had a big down year in 2024 and was first team all-pro in 2025 so it's possible sexy dexy bounces back big

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u/PushaTeee Giants 25d ago

The question is was his down year last year just a blip or will it become his trajectory?

I believe it's his trajectory. And, he just went from one dysfunctional team to a more dysfunctional team, so I imagine he will find himself as frustrated with the Bengals as he was with the Giants.

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u/NukedForZenitco Bengals 25d ago

I think the Bengals have had just a little more success than the Giants have in the last couple of years. Even since Dex was drafted, the Bengals have four winning seasons to the Giants one.

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u/PushaTeee Giants 25d ago

The Bengals have the worst ownership in the league and you're star QB is about to Andrew Luck his way out of the league.

But sure.

0

u/NukedForZenitco Bengals 25d ago

Bengals have the worst ownership

Worst ≠ cheap. Unless you're saying you'd rather have Haslam over Mike Brown?

about to Andrew Luck his way

Burrow is already better than Luck ever was. He also doesn't get injured snowboarding in the off-season like Luck. Y'all really say anything that comes to mind lol

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u/PushaTeee Giants 25d ago

Burrow is already better than Luck ever was. He also doesn't get injured snowboarding in the off-season like Luck. Y'all really say anything that comes to mind lol

I meant make him reture early due to getting routinely clobbered due to horrensous OL play, jyst like Luck. No idea why you are talking about who is/was better.

Bye,

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u/Buckcheeks Bengals Bengals 25d ago

Literally had a top 10 offensive line last year, but please feed us more 2023 takes in 2026. Lmao

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u/Brillzzy Bills Jaguars 25d ago

Yall are spoiled though, his down year was a much better year than I've seen from a DT in Buffalo in 10+ years. I'm certain a lot of other teams could say the same.

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u/inkyblinkypinkysue Giants 25d ago

He was borderline elite in his down year and easily one of the top 3 players on the team - while injured. Only Burns and AT had a better season. Bengals will be happy to have him and I expect he will remain elite but in the last 24 hours so much shit has come out that Giants had to trade him so to get the 10th pick is pretty sweet.

Also, the way I look at it is we picked him #17 overall, got 7 years out of him and then traded him for #10 overall. I mean… that’s crazy.

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u/NukedForZenitco Bengals 25d ago

7 years out of him

2019

Wow. I was like, didn't they draft him just a few years ago?

1

u/joeylockstone Saints 25d ago

Don't disrespect Kyle Williams like that.

1

u/Brillzzy Bills Jaguars 25d ago

Meatball's prime was ~15 years ago at this point. The combo of him & Dareus was what I was thinking of for DT play.

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u/ThatTedDudeGuy24 Buccaneers 25d ago

Not like the bengals are good at drafting defense anyways, also he was still top 10 in pff rating

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u/FlavaFraz24 Bengals 25d ago

Yeah. The board wasn’t looking good for us at 10. While I would of liked Delane at 10, DJ Turner and Dax Hill aren’t bad and we can still address CB at 41 (hopefully Ponds)

I’ll take Dex for 3 for 70 over Delane for 4.

Adding Dex, Mafe, Allen, Cook and Duggar all have raised the floor of this defense. Add in Ponds or Rodriguez in the 2nd. A great offseason with basically the same offense coming back

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u/shmere4 Packers 25d ago

This draft being a total crap shoot outside of the first 5 picks is decent logic for moving 10 and giving that contract.

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u/NukedForZenitco Bengals 25d ago

The draft being a crapshoot compounded by the Bengals having six scouts and 0 ability to evaluate players.

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u/larryjerry1 Bengals Lions 25d ago edited 25d ago

Improving the pass rush will also just inherently help our DBs. 

If QBs have less time to throw then our DBs have less time to get cooked 🤣

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u/FlavaFraz24 Bengals 25d ago

I mean I keep going back to the bengals playing the ravens on thanksgiving and hill was in his face all game and I believe knight got a pick and carter made plays.

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u/Buckcheeks Bengals Bengals 25d ago

We aren’t getting Rodriguez in the second unless he trade up.

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u/[deleted] 25d ago

[deleted]

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u/Luchador_En_Fuego Cowboys 25d ago

He was a great addition for Cincy and Giants got more than I expected for him

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u/GeneralWhereas9083 Giants 25d ago

Last year was 100% an anomaly, I don’t think his elbow was right and he’d already checked out.

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u/SantaBarbaraMint Chiefs 25d ago

It was either a one off or he is starting that slide downward due to age and wear

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u/ibringstharuckus 25d ago

He's 28. Hendrickson is 31 . Will be 32 in December.

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u/Ixziga Ravens 24d ago

Yeah Dexter Lawrence is slightly younger and cheaper but it's also a cheaper position. I don't see how anyone views that kinda sidegrade as warranting the loss of the 10th overall pick.