Giants, Brian Burns sending similar message to Dexter Lawrence II about potential trade amid contract standoff

While it was learned on Wednesday that contract talks between the New York Giants and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II had "reached an impasse" and "broken off," it was also said that the Giants were in no rush to either trade him or "meet his every demand" regarding a new contract extension. 

According to an update shared by Giants reporter Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, this saga could drag on beyond this year's draft. 

Giants feel they have leverage in the Dexter Lawrence II situation?

"The Giants are sticking to their stance that Dexter Lawrence is under contract for two more years, they want him to stay and they are not interested in giving him a new contract," Schwartz wrote. "As far as reports that surfaced Wednesday that contact talks have ended and the Giants are actively involved in trade discussions with other teams, that is not entirely accurate. Yes, talks have 'broken down'...No, the Giants are not actively engaged in trade talks, and they feel no urgency whatsoever in moving on from their disgruntled 28-year-old nose tackle."

Lawrence previously went public with a trade request amid his desire for a pay raise. Since earlier in April, NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY has noted that "a late 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, or a package of second- and fifth-round picks were viewed as fair value by those outside the Giants’ organization" for Lawrence's services. 

Schwartz indicated that would-be buyers aren't close to matching that asking price as of the third Thursday of April.

"Lawrence's request for a trade has not yet generated strong interest from teams around the league," Schwartz added. Schwartz also said that it had "been five days since anyone has called the Giants about" Lawrence as of the posting of his piece. 

Brian Burns wants the same outcome for Dexter Lawrence II as the Giants

"Speaking for me, the Giants ain’t the Giants without No. 97 in the middle," pass-rusher Brian Burns said about Lawrence while speaking with The Post's Ryan Dunleavy. "So we are going to figure that out to keep him here regardless, I hope. That’s my boy. And I don’t want to play this season or any other season without him." 

That makes sense, as Burns tallied the second-most sacks in the NFL (16.5) this past season while having Lawrence attract attention from blockers. Reports have suggested that new Giants head coach John Harbaugh wants to have Lawrence on his defensive line this coming September, but that doesn't mean the two parties will come to a resolution regarding this standoff before the draft gets underway on the night of April 23.