DT Dexter Lawrence II's 'fire' will be key to reigniting Bengals' lousy defense in 2026

Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II wants to give the Cincinnati Bengals a return on their investment. 

The Bengals traded the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to the New York Giants for Lawrence on Saturday. After passing his physical on Sunday, Cincinnati signed him to a one-year, $28M contract extension, keeping him under contract with the team through the 2028 season. He's grateful for both transactions.

Dexter Lawrence II thanks Bengals for trade 

"I know they gave up a lot for me, and I appreciate that. I don't take that for granted. I have a fire in me," the three-time Pro Bowl DT told Geoff Hobson of the team website for a story published Sunday. "I picked up a little turf on the field. I got chills when I got out there. I just see myself helping this team be where it's supposed to be....I enjoy pressure. I enjoy being under that type of light. I write down notes, and my notes are, 'Let my light shine all the time.' And keep joy. Don't let anything steal your joy."

The Bengals, meanwhile, seem overjoyed they've landed Lawrence. 

"The opportunity to add a player of Dexter's ability was too good to pass up thanks to the commitment by Mr. Brown, Katie Blackburn, Troy Blackburn, Paul Brown, and our player personnel staff," Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said in a statement released Sunday (h/t Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio). "Dexter fits the vision we have for our defense and will also elevate others around him. We are confident in Dexter and can't wait to see the positive effects he and the other players we have acquired this offseason will have on our football team. We are excited to turn to the draft and our remaining picks to enhance our team further."

But will Lawrence produce the results the Bengals are hoping for after his numbers declined last season? The DT — who turns 29 on Nov. 12 — logged a half-sack in 17 games in 2025 after having nine in 12 games in 2024.

A lingering left elbow issue likely contributed to the decline. The injury ended his season in 2024, and he re-aggravated it in 2025.

With the DT wanting to repay the Bengals for the trade and contract, that should fuel one of the better offseasons of his career, which should him recapture his elite form. If Lawrence does so, that would fire up Cincinnati's defense — which ranked 30th in the league in points allowed (28.9) in 2025.