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Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
The Chicago Bears may have just seen their chances improve for acquiring Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in a trade amid the latest personnel development from the New York Giants ahead of next week’s 2026 NFL draft.
Lawrence’s name has been popular on the trade market over the past week after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported April 6 that the three-time Pro Bowler had requested a trade from the Giants. Since then, analysts have regularly tried to connect the dots between Lawrence and the Bears, who count defensive tackle as one of their main roster needs.
The Giants have not expressed any interest in trading Lawrence, who is seeking a new contract that would come with a significant pay raise. The latest update from them on their 2026 roster, however, suggests they are at least considering their contingencies.
According to the NFL’s official transaction wire, the Giants hosted an official free-agent visit with former Detroit Lions veteran defensive tackle DJ Reader on Monday, April 13, an indication they could be evaluating their nose tackle options to replace Lawrence.
Reader is not the same caliber of player as Lawrence, who has more career sacks and total tackles in fewer seasons played. Even still, the 31-year-old veteran could provide an affordable replacement option if the Giants wind up moving Lawrence in the draft. They could also use whatever draft assets they acquire to further bolster the position.
Either way, it is an intriguing development for the Bears to monitor as the draft nears.
Dexter Lawrence Trade Would Demand All-In Investment
Lawrence would undoubtedly raise the bar for Chicago’s defensive interior if the Bears worked out a trade for him and added him to their roster for the 2026 season. He had a down season (0.5 sacks) in 2025 despite playing every game, but he also made the Pro Bowl in each of his prior three seasons, tallying 21 sacks and 165 tackles in that span.
The biggest challenge with a Lawrence trade is the investment, not the talent, though.
While Lawrence would add a massive piece to Dennis Allen’s defense, the Bears would need to make an all-in investment to acquire him in a trade. The price point on draft capital might not be egregious, but the Giants — who seem more interested in keeping their defensive star — could demand at least one of the Bears’ second-round picks.
The trade price is also less problematic than the expected contract price on Lawrence’s next contract. According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, Lawrence is seeking a new deal in the range of $30 million to $35 million annually, which is far more than the Bears can afford to spend right now unless they make drastic adjustments to their cap situation.
Over the Cap has the Bears at less than $220,000 in available cap space heading into the 2026 NFL draft. That’s not exactly a favorable position from which to go all-in.
Draft Remains Preferable to Dexter Lawrence Trade
The Bears have expressed interest in making a trade for a defensive difference-maker during the 2026 offseason. General manager Ryan Poles confirmed that the team had interest in Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby before the Baltimore Ravens agreed to acquire him — and then renegged on the deal in the 11th hour.
At this stage, though, the Bears have a better shot at finding a difference-maker in the 2026 NFL draft than completing a blockbuster trade for a highly-paid defensive star.
The Bears should have quality options at several positions of need when they are on the clock at No. 25 overall. If defensive tackle is the primary focus, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald — who took a top 30 visit to Halas Hall this spring — could appeal to them if he is still on the board. Clemson’s Peter Woods might also be in play for Chicago.
The Bears also have two late-round selections in the second round at Nos. 57 and 60, which they could use to attack deeper positions in the draft — such as edge rusher — or package in a deal to move further up the board. That could mean climbing higher into the second round of the draft or going up for a desired faller on opening night.
In any case, the Bears owe it to themselves to avoid the pitfalls of an all-in move and trust their scouting to draft and develop impact players. It worked out well for them in 2025 on offense when they added Colston Loveland (first round), Luther Burden III (second round), Ozzy Trapilo (second round) and Kyle Monangai (seventh round).
Jordan J. Wilson is a sports reporter who covers the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. He has previously covered all levels of sports — high school, college and pro — for a variety of publications including The Indianapolis Star, The News-Gazette, Springfield State-Journal Register and Peoria Journal Star. More about Jordan J. Wilson
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