Judging by the final price tag, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles never stood a chance when it came to a potential trade for Dexter Lawrence, whom the New York Giants dealt to the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday.
In return, the Giants received the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bears, who own the 25th overall pick, would have had to pay handsomely to top that.
However, the trade was also revealing in a way that could be informative for the Bears.
Bears Get Valuable Feedback After Trade Shakes Up Draft
Bears’ Draft Plans Get Additional Context
The Bears were among the bevy of teams viewed as potential fits for Lawrence, who demanded a trade amid a contract dispute with the Giants. They missed out on the player, who will command a significant raise at a position in which they have already poured resources.
For the Giants, this move makes them the sixth team with two first-round picks. Moreover, they are the only team with two selections in the top 10.
The Bengals’ decision was telling for the Bears for several reasons.
“This isn’t the only reason you do this ofc (Lawrence is, at his best, one of the top 2-3 DTs in football), but I wonder if CIN felt the premium defensive players will all be gone by 10,” ESPN’s Mina Kimes posted in reaction to the news.
“The steep price paid by the Bengals for Dexter Lawrence underscores two important points about this draft class,” ESPN’s Field Yates posted on X. “This is not a strong draft at the top. The lack of blue chippers is well-established.
“This draft is extremely thin at defensive tackle.”
Bears Bolstered Trenches in Free Agency
DT has been a popular speculative position for the Bears to target in the draft. However, the team is not bereft of options, which could make that an unlikely route.
The Bears signed Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street in free agency this offseason. They join 2025 FA signing Grady Jarrett and former second-round draft picks Gervon Dexter Sr. and Shemar Turner. Turner missed most of his rookie season due to an injury.
Potentially getting Turner back is a key part of the equation.
That is not to say that any of them are on Lawrence’s level as individual talents–they are decidedly not.
However, it does suggest that the Bears could target other positions ahead of DT. Left tackle and safety behind only EDGE, where 2024 fifth-rounder Austin Booker is the lone upside play opposite Montez Sweat, with Dayo Odeyingbo (another 2025 FA pickup) returning from injury.