Twitter celebrates Bengals’ trade for Giants All-Pro Dexter Lawrence

Oct 13, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (30) fumbles the ball late in the fourth quarter as New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) defend at MetLife Stadium. The ball went out of bounds. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images | Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Less than a week before the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals have struck a blockbuster deal with the New York Giants. In exchange for their No. 10 overall pick, the Giants are sending three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II to Cincinnati.

When rumors of Lawrence's discontent with New York and how they were handling his contract negotiations surfaced, his request for a trade soon followed. Who Dey Nation held on to what seemed like a pipe dream of the gigantic nose tackle landing in The Queen City.

Throughout Saturday, there were reports that Lawrence very well could land in the AFC North, but those centered around the Browns. Cincinnati eventually swooped in with a high pick to get Lawrence on their rebuilding defense. The trade will become official once Lawrence passes a physical with the Bengals.

Needless to say, the Bengals' staff and fans are overjoyed to have this gigantic presence in the AFC North. Cincinnati's defense struggled in almost every aspect throughout most of 2025, but the addition of Lawrence with other free agent hauls paints a much brighter picture for defensive coordinator Al Golden's unit in 2026.

Let's have a look at some tweets about the move.

Bengals Twitter Reactions to Dexter Lawrence Trade

Trade comp, via @JordanRaanan: the Bengals will receive DT Dexter Lawrence in exchange for Thursday night's 10th overall pick, straight up. Lawrence still needs to pass his physical and finalize a contract with Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/GOzycM9VYE

- Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 19, 2026

The #Bengals deal for Dexter Lawrence is pending a physical, obviously.

But this is the most out-of-character move by this franchise in a generation.

The urgency and all-in talk this offseason amid years of defensive frustration finally produced a change in philosophy.

- Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) April 19, 2026

From a #Bengals perspective, the organization understands it's in a win-now window every year with Joe Burrow and must take advantage of that.

Sitting at No. 10 felt like a spot where they could be left out of the mix in a draft thin on blue-chip talent.

So they make the big... https://t.co/TnU1eC6AsD

- Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 19, 2026

Bengals new defensive starters:

* Dexter Lawrence
* Boye Mafe
* Jonathan Allen
* Bryan Cook

- Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) April 19, 2026

https://t.co/74F1s4asl3pic.twitter.com/7hRApkAEnZ

- Jason Marcum (@marcum89) April 19, 2026

THIS IS ALL IN!!!!! OMG WE ARE DOING IT!!!!! #WHODEYpic.twitter.com/V075214XaL

- GameOn513 (@gameonjmoney) April 19, 2026

It's about time the Bengals got aggressive to upgrade their defense.

Huge pickup with Dexter Lawrence.

Makes sense for the Giants, too.

- Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) April 19, 2026

Dexter Lawrence over the last 5 seasons, per @NextGenStats:

53.2% double team rate (highest in NFL)
65 QB pressures after double team (4th in NFL)@Bengals

- NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) April 19, 2026

The Giants have traded star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals, sources confirm to me @NYDNSports

As one NFL source said Friday when told the Bengals were a potential destination, they could win the Super Bowl if they got him"

We have told you for... pic.twitter.com/hTlU0MJGvG

- Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) April 19, 2026

DEXTER LAWRENCE IS A BENGAL LETS GOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/F8yBIe0k59

- Bengals Central (@BengalsCentral_) April 19, 2026

S - Bryan Cook
DE - Boye Mafe
DT - Jonathan Allen
CB - Ja'Sir Taylor
S - Kyle Dugger
DT - Dexter Lawrence
Big moves

- Houston (@MHAbner17) April 19, 2026

pressures when aligned at nose tackle, since 2022:

108 - Dexter Lawrence
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- Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 7, 2026

The steep prices paid by the Bengals for Dexter Lawrence underscores two important points about this draft class:

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.

- Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 19, 2026

This is my formal apology Cincinnati Bengals ownership.

I told you to prove me wrong and you did.

This is all in.

- Drew Garrison (@DrewGarrison) April 19, 2026

Before the Bengals played the Giants in 2024, Dan Pitcher was asked about Dexter Lawrence.

Pitcher said, "He's a huge, explosive, strong man that lines up on the center virtually 90% of the game. That presents challenges. He's going to do a great job, and we've got to put Ted...

- Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 19, 2026

Dexter Lawrence is a fucking monsterpic.twitter.com/mxg6Gf80OP

- mike (@bengals_sans) April 19, 2026

All of the draft work. All of the prep. We toss it into the air now.

The Bengals made a MOVE.

Wow.

- Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) April 19, 2026

Bengals really traded for a top 5 DT in football. This is crazy lmao

- JR Levert (@JRho_11) April 19, 2026

What are your feelings about the Bengals giving up the No. 10 overall pick for Dexter Lawrence?