Overview
- The Bengals acquired Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants in a trade finalized on April 19 and signed him through the 2028 season with an extra year worth about $28 million.
- Multiple veterans and coaches at training camp said Lawrence has been “terrorizing practice,” with Ja’Marr Chase and teammates describing his daily disruptive presence during the first padded sessions.
- Joe Burrow and the offensive line report real-time effects on pocket work and blocking, forcing quicker throws, cleaner timing and focused technique work to counter Lawrence’s interior push.
- Defensive coaches have already altered play designs and practice reps to put Lawrence in favorable matchups, showing Cincinnati is changing scheme as well as personnel to maximize his impact.
- Lawrence’s low 2025 sack total belies his influence because opponents double-teamed him on roughly 71% of pass-rush snaps, a pattern that helps explain why his practice dominance could translate into broader defensive gains.