Bengals will do ‘significant’ contract extension for Dexter Lawrence
TL;DR
The Cincinnati Bengals are set to negotiate a significant contract extension for Dexter Lawrence following his trade. Lawrence's current deal is a four-year extension worth $90 million, running through 2027.
Key points
- Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence pending a physical
- Lawrence needs a massive contract extension
- Bengals expected to negotiate a long-term deal
- Current contract is a four-year extension worth $90 million
- Cap hit of $20 million and $22 million over the next two seasons
The Cincinnati Bengals, pending a physical, pulled off a blockbuster trade for Dexter Lawrence ahead of the NFL draft.
As expected, the Bengals did so with the understanding that Lawrence will need a massive contract extension upon arrival.
According to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, no problem there: The Bengals “are expected to hammer out a significant long-term deal” with the star defensive lineman.
What could a big contract extension for Lawrence look like? He’s already on a four-year extension worth $90 million that runs through 2027. He’s a cap hit of $20 million and $22 million over the next two seasons.
Expect that to look small soon.
Spotrac recently pointed out the highest average-paid defensive linemen in the NFL:
- Chris Jones, $31.75M
- Jordan Davis, $26M
- Milton Williams, $26M
- Zach Allen, $25.5M
- Nnamdi Madubuike, $24.5M]
A Lawrence extension will push his per-year average to around $30 million per year. Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported that the Giants attempted to give Lawrence a raise, but couldn’t get it done before the trade.
Based on performance, it would be a more than fair number. And there was more going on between the Giants and Lawrence than just money, clearly.
In other words, the Bengals shouldn’t have issues getting a contract extension done. This isn’t an over-30 Trey Hendrickson with reps who oddly navigated talks on a yearly basis. This is something arguably more premium, too: An interior pressure creator. Odds are strong the Bengals sketched out a deal before the trade even went official.
So, pending physical, there might be a new contract waiting for Lawrence when he gets to Cincinnati. It’s just a matter of time. And as usual with cap stuff, the extension could be big money up front, but actually reduce his 2026 cap hit, too.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals will do ‘significant’ contract extension for Dexter Lawrence
Q&A
What is Dexter Lawrence's current contract with the Bengals?
Dexter Lawrence is currently under a four-year extension worth $90 million, which runs through 2027.
How much will Dexter Lawrence's cap hit be over the next two seasons?
Lawrence's cap hit will be $20 million in the first year and $22 million in the second year.
What are the expectations for Dexter Lawrence's contract extension?
The Bengals are expected to finalize a significant long-term deal for Dexter Lawrence after his trade.
