Dexter Lawrence's Bengals extension freed up 2026 cap space | Report

TL;DR

Dexter Lawrence signed a one-year, $28 million extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, freeing up nearly $5 million in 2026 cap space. The deal includes significant bonuses and higher cash payouts than his previous contract with the Giants.

Key points

Dexter Lawrence signed a one-year, $28 million extension
The extension freed up nearly $5 million in 2026 cap space
Lawrence's deal includes a $10 million guaranteed roster bonus
He receives higher payouts than his previous contract with the Giants
Lawrence was traded to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft

Mentioned in this story

Dexter Lawrence

Cincinnati BengalsNew York Giants2026 NFL Draft

Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence's one-year, $28-million extension with the Cincinnati Bengals actually freed up nearly $5M of 2026 cap space, Spotrac reported April 24 via Twitter/X.

Lawrence's extension "comes with a $10M guaranteed roster bonus, $22M in 2026 (+$2M) and an $8.25M option bonus for 2027," according to Spotrac, which added that the three-year total value contract includes cap hits of $15.3M in 2026, $24.2M in 2027 and $30.4M in 2028.

ESPN's Dan Graziano reported April 23 that Lawrence's deal "includes $22 million in 2026 cash ($11M salary, $11M bonus), $25M in 2027 cash and $23M in 2028 cash."

Lawrence "gets $2M more in 2026 and $3M more in 2027 than (the) Giants were scheduled to pay him on (his) previous deal," Graziano added, leading ESPN's Giants reporter to tweet that Lawrence "simply wanted out from the Giants."

Lawrence was acquired in a trade with the Giants for the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Bengals announced earlier in the week that Lawrence will be wearing the No. 97 jersey Shemar Stewart wore last season.

Lawrence did his first public "Sexy Dexy" dance during the , four days after at Paycor Stadium for the first time as a Bengal.

Q&A

How much cap space did Dexter Lawrence's extension free up for the Bengals in 2026?

Dexter Lawrence's extension freed up nearly $5 million in 2026 cap space for the Cincinnati Bengals.

What are the financial details of Dexter Lawrence's contract extension with the Bengals?

Lawrence's extension includes a $10 million guaranteed roster bonus, $22 million in 2026, and cap hits of $15.3 million in 2026, $24.2 million in 2027, and $30.4 million in 2028.

Why did Dexter Lawrence leave the Giants for the Bengals?

Lawrence reportedly wanted out from the Giants, as his new contract with the Bengals offers him $2 million more in 2026 and $3 million more in 2027 compared to his previous deal.