Giants' Dexter Lawrence Decision Hinges on One Question After Damning Report
Dexter Lawrence is reportedly unhappy with the New York Giants and is seeking a new deal after contract negotiations reached an impasse. The All-Pro defensive tackle still has two years remaining on his current contract but is pushing for a significant raise ahead of the 2026 season.
Lawrence's current deal carries an average annual value of $22.5 million, which made him one of the highest-paid interior defenders when he signed it in 2023. However, the market has since surged, and he now ranks outside the top 10 at his position.
The Giants added $3 million in incentives to his deal last year, but this offseason, Lawrence is reportedly seeking a contract worth up to $30 million annually. With no agreement reached, the four-time Pro Bowler has requested a trade, and NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports that both sides appear to be heading toward a split.
To address the situation, Super Bowl champion Jason McCourty believes the Giants must decide whether they still view Lawrence as an elite, All-Pro caliber player. If they do, he argues, they need to pay him accordingly.
"Dexter Lawrence is double-teamed probably more than anyone in the league, with people trying not to allow him to get to the quarterback," McCourty said on ESPN. "But when you are as good as him, the expectations are extremely high, and when the numbers are down for the Giants, they are gonna use it as a negotiating tactic.
"They don't want to give him a ton of money coming off the season he is. I think the question that the Giants have to ask themselves is, 'Do we believe Dexter Lawrence is going to get back to an elite All-Pro level?' and I would say, absolutely. And with that in mind, you have got to find a way to get him more money because it's gonna help guys like Brian Burns and Lawrence getting those eight, nine sacks a season, stopping the run, he's going to get back to it, and they absolutely need 97 on that team."
Lawrence is coming off one of the least productive seasons of his seven-year career, recording a career-low 0.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits, along with 31 tackles, four passes defended, and one interception. However, as McCourty noted, he remains one of the most double-teamed players in the league and still generated 34 pressures, ranking 19th in pass rush win rate.
Lawrence is only 28 and just a year removed from posting a career-high nine sacks, and as McCourty highlighted, he's very much capable of getting back to that level. Across seven seasons, he has recorded 341 tackles and 30.5 sacks, and New York would certainly find it hard to replace that impact, whether through free agency or the draft.
Related: Giants Predicted to Trade Dexter Lawrence to NFC North Contender
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 6:13 AM.