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Bengals OT, strength coach sent simultaneous Sexy Dexy dance memes to celebrate trade
TL;DR
The Cincinnati Bengals traded their No. 10 overall pick to acquire defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants. This surprising move aims to strengthen their defense after a disappointing season.
Key points
- Bengals traded No. 10 overall pick for Dexter Lawrence
- Trade aims to strengthen Bengals' defense
- Experts say Bengals overpaid for Lawrence
Cincinnati BengalsNew York GiantsDexter Lawrence
The Cincinnati Bengals stunned the NFL on Saturday, April 18, by trading for New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
Such a high-profile deal is out of character for the old-school Cincinnati franchise. The Bengals, normally conservative with their draft picks, sent the No. 10 overall selection to the Giants for Lawrence.
MORE: 2026 NFL mock draft following Giants-Bengals blockbuster Dexter Lawrence trade
Reaction came swiftly from across the NFL with many experts saying the Bengals overpaid for the 28-year-old Lawrence. But Cincinnati players are excited about the opportunity to upgrade a porous defense after a 6-11 campaign.
Cincinnati Enquirer beat reporter Kelsey Conway shared right tackle Amarius Mims’ reaction from the Bengals locker room on Monday, April 20.
“The first person I texted was Joey Boese, my strength coach,” Mims said. “And it’s crazy … we sent the same meme at the same time. It was Dexter doing his little dance, or whatever.
“Hey, man, you get a guy like that in your locker room, man, that’s a whole like team changer, not just a defensive changer. … That man is literally the best D tackle in the NFL, if you ask me.”
Mims, the Bengals’ No. 18 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Georgia, has started 30 games, mostly at right tackle. In 2025, he turned in an overall Pro Football Focus grade of 67.6. That ranked him 42nd out of 89 tackles.
Lawrence, who signed a $28 million extension with after the trade, is coming off a down season. He had career lows with a half-sack and 31 tackles.
Q&A
Why did the Bengals trade for Dexter Lawrence?
The Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence to upgrade their defense after a poor 6-11 season.
What did the Bengals give up for Dexter Lawrence?
The Bengals sent the No. 10 overall pick to the New York Giants in exchange for Dexter Lawrence.
What has been the reaction to the Bengals' trade for Lawrence?
Many experts believe the Bengals overpaid for Lawrence, but players are excited about the potential defensive upgrade.
