NFL Execs Point to Green Bay Packers as Logical Suitor for Dexter Lawrence

While Dexter Lawrence’s recent trade demand is more likely, in the eyes of many NFL execs, to results in a new contract than a trade, that won’t stop interested teams from inquiring. Lawrence is a premier talent and able to rush the passer from the inside like few in the league.

So even if the odds of a trade are seen as low, it’s not going to stop chatter from intensifying. And no one can rule out Lawrence playing elsewhere in 2026. 

With him at age 28 and seeking a new contract, he isn’t going to land anywhere that isn’t a realistic contender, and with him angling for a new deal, he will have say in where he lands should the trade talks reach a level where the Giants are motivated to move him. 

And new coach John Harbaugh didn’t exactly slam the door on the possibility on the Giants entertaining any roster transactions this week when he quipped: “everybody’s tradeable.”

Which Team Makes The Most Sense?

Even those execs who are skeptical that Lawrence is dealt could agree on a potential suitor that could be seen as more motivated than the rest. 

There was one team, despite lacking first-round capital in this draft (or perhaps, more to the point, because of that reality), that desperately needs defensive tackles and could be seen as a player or two away from a Lombardi Trophy, a chalice more interwoven into the fabric of their franchise than any other.

The Green Bay Packers.

The Giants unquestionably want a 2025 first-round pick for Lawrence, but, as we reported earlier this week, it seems dubious they will make that happen. 

Green Bay is already all-in for 2026 after moving top picks to land Micah Parsons before the start of last season; Parsons suffered a season-ending injury and they depleted their defensive tackle quality and depth in dealing Kenny Clark to Dallas in that trade. Green Bay holds picks 52 and 84; pass rushers will be long gone in this draft class before they select, and the Giants have plenty of holes to fill. 

Perhaps if they throw in an emerging player as well, there is potential to make something happen? Or would they just part with their top 2027 selection? (anticipating it would be in the 28-32 range, anyway).

Green Bay has abstained from those types of trade for decades, but after already swinging big for Parsons it would be counterintuitive to then send out of major surgery with this defensive-line cast around him.

“They aren’t finding a Day One impact DT in this draft,” said one longtime NFL executive. 

“They could be picking at 26 (their original first-round spot) and it’s not happening… Definitely, they should be calling.”

One GM said: “Green Bay probably makes the most sense.”

One executive who has had multiple dealings with the Giants over the years, admittedly with a different regime in place, and who has had uncanny instincts about that franchise believes Giants ownership is keenly aware of what the Jets landed for Quinnen Williams (a 2026 second-rounder and 2027 first), and that’s where the threshold lies.

“I seriously doubt they trade Lawrence unless someone offers at least the Quinnen deal,” he said. 

“But that’s unlikely because Lawrence expects a new contract with the trade and he’s coming off an average year for him, and Williams came over in-season and didn’t get a new deal."