Giants rejected Browns' trade offer for Dexter Lawrence, per report

Giants rejected Browns' trade offer for Dexter Lawrence, per report originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It’s no secret that Dexter Lawrence is continuing his career with a new franchise.

On Saturday, the three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle was traded from the New York Giants to the Cincinnati Bengals in a deal that landed the Giants the No. 10 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The Cleveland Browns were reportedly in the mix for Lawrence before he joined the Bengals, but their trade offer wasn’t enticing enough for New York to send the 28-year-old to Cleveland.

“Following up with a number of folks around the league, there has been talk that Cleveland’s offer of a second-round pick has been the best offer that the Giants have received, but that they are holding out for a first-round pick, and would prefer to hold on to Lawrence,” Dawgs by Nature’s Jared Mueller revealed.

Ultimately, the Bengals proved to be the franchise willing to surrender a first-round pick for Lawrence, making it easy for the Giants to refuse the Browns’ offer and conduct business with the Bengals before the start of the NFL Draft.

Lawrence accumulated 31 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and one interception with the Giants last season, which is unquestionably a down year for the former first-round pick who earned back-to-back second-team All-Pro nods in 2022 and 2023.

Still, the Browns’ previous interest in Lawrence shows Cleveland believed in his run-stuffing and pass-rushing ability and hoped to acquire him while giving up only a second-round pick.