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Bengals’ Dexter Lawrence trade draws ESPN criticism as worst offseason move
One of the most significant moves of the NFL offseason saw the Cincinnati Bengals trade for Dexter Lawrence II. The Bengals sent the New York Giants the 10th overall pick in exchange for the All-Pro defensive tackle. The trade came after Trey Hendrickson joined the Bengals’ divisional rival, the Baltimore Ravens.
The trade has been somewhat polarizing, though most view it as a move that favors the Bengals. Not everyone agrees. In fact, ESPN named it the biggest, and worst, move of Cincinnati’s offseason.
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“The Bengals made a high-profile trade, sending the No. 10 pick to the Giants in exchange for Lawrence. The move was both uncharacteristic and unwise. Yes, Cincinnati needs to invest resources into its defense. But this was not the way to do it. Lawrence is a good player who has been elite in the past. But he is coming off a down season — just an 8.4% pass rush win rate and 0.5 sacks. There’s also a big difference between sending the No. 10 pick and, say, a late first-rounder. And that’s why this was too pricey a trade.” ESPN reported.
Nov 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) scrambles away from New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
That’s certainly one way to look at it. But let’s not get it twisted, this was a move the Bengals needed to make. Lawrence or not, they had to keep their fragile Super Bowl window open.
Defense has been the Bengals’ biggest weakness. Their 2021 defense wasn’t necessarily elite, but it was respectable and played well enough to win. That hasn’t been the case since their playoff run.
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Cincinnati has watched Joe Burrow and his backup quarterbacks put together incredible games, only to see them end in bitter defeat because the defense couldn’t get one more stop. Or any stop at all.
Lawrence joins a Bengals defense that has retooled its secondary, had two promising EDGE defenders, and signed free agent Jonathan Allen. On paper, this defense could take a step forward, especially with Lawrence now in the fold.
The compensation and reworked contract will certainly be interesting to watch play out. But the Bengals just need their defense to be average, and this move might get them there.
Can the Cincinnati Bengals push back into the playoffs?
