Dexter Lawrence wants nothing more than to make the Cincinnati Bengals big winners for trading for him.
The Bengals rocked the NFL landscape when they traded a top-10 first-round pick to acquire Lawrence over the weekend, just days before the 2026 NFL draft. The move was polarizing to fans and media members alike, with some believing that Cincinnati overpaid for the 28-year-old defensive tackle.
The Bengals doubled down on their move by signing Lawrence to a contract extension shortly after acquiring him. During his introductory interview with the team, Lawrence sounded fully committed to ensuring he was worth all the trust the team has placed in him.
“They wanted me here, and they appreciated the work that I’ve put in over the last seven seasons,” Lawrence said on Cincinnati’s decision to extend him immediately.
“I’m going to do everything I can to show them that they didn’t waste it. I’ve got a fire in me that I’ve never had before.”
"I got a fire in me."
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 19, 2026
🔗: https://t.co/KtcR8PWrzU pic.twitter.com/CufrJNmxGM
The Bengals have been a defensive doormat over the past few seasons. The arrival of Lawrence signals Cincinnati’s intent to get better on that side of the field.
Lawrence racked up three Pro Bowl appearances and a pair of 2nd-team All-Pro selections during his seven years with the Giants. New York only made the playoffs once during the 2022 season, leaving the star defender starved for more postseason action.
The man they call “Sexy Dexy” had just half a sack across 17 games last season, a year after leading the Giants with 9.0 of them in 2024. The newfound “fire” in him may help get him back to top form for his first season with the Bengals.
