Why Giants' Brian Burns may regret Dexter Lawrence II advice amid contract standoff

Multiple reports have suggested that the New York Giants are in no rush to trade defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II at a discounted price. The two sides apparently aren't close to reaching an agreement regarding his desire to receive a pay raise this offseason. 

During a recent chat with Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, Giants pass-rusher Brian Burns said that he doesn't "want to play this season or any other season without" having Lawrence by his side. Burns also offered Lawrence some advice amid a contract standoff that could play out through the summer. 

Brian Burns knows what Dexter Lawrence II is going through this spring

"I've been there," Burns said about Lawrence's situation, per Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "I understand the nature of the business and how things can get. What I would tell Dex, what I leaned on when I was going through it, is my faith and allowing whatever happens to happen." 

Burns was referring to how he was never part of a winning season with the Carolina Panthers from the time they made him a first-round draft pick in 2019 up until he joined the Giants via a trade in March 2024. As part of that transaction, Big Blue signed Burns to a five-year, $141M contract. 

Burns hopes the Lawrence saga has a different ending. The Giants signed Lawrence to a four-year, $90M extension in the spring of 2023, and Paul Schwartz of the New York Post reported on Wednesday that "Lawrence's request for a trade has not yet generated strong interest from teams around the league." 

According to NFL insider Connor Hughes of SNY, the Giants may hold onto Lawrence unless they receive "a late 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, or a package of second- and fifth-round picks" for the 28-year-old. 

Brian Burns shares what Dexter Lawrence II gives the Giants beyond on-the-field production

Lawrence finished the 2025 campaign with only half a sack, and he was accused by some this past fall of being at least a little out of shape. His 2025 numbers may not jump off a stat sheet, but Burns insisted that Lawrence's positive contributions to the Giants go beyond what fans see on Sundays. 

"Dex is a huge locker-room presence," Burns added during his chat with Dunleavy. "It's been a little weird without him here, and knowing the uncertainty of the business of what he's going through. It would be a huge loss to lose him. He's a vocal leader. A lot of guys look up to him. Hell, I look up to him at times. You don't ever want to lose a guy like that."

It sounds like Burns won't lose having Lawrence as a teammate anytime soon, but there's also no indication that the Giants plan to meet Lawrence's demands regarding an extension before this year's draft gets underway on the night of April 23.