Jets trade rumor could lead to game-changing deal with Giants

The New York Jets could use all the help they could get on the defensive side of the ball, as the franchise ranked near the bottom of the league in every major statistical category. 

According to a report from NFL insider Matt Lombardo, the franchise should feel confident about its chances of completing a game-changing deal with the New York Giants for a two-time All-Pro defensive lineman.

“Might (Dexter) Lawrence be about to live the inverse of Leonard Williams’ reality,” Lombardo stated on his ‘Between the Hashmarks’ substack page on Wednesday. 

“Williams, originally chosen by the New York Jets with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, was dealt across town to the Giants for a pair of draft picks, back in 2019."

“There isn’t a team in the league better positioned from a draft capital standpoint (five first-round picks over the next two years), nor a cap space standpoint, with $39.5 million in cap space this offseason and $151.5 million in 2027 to acquire Lawrence."

Lawrence's tenure with the Giants appears to be coming to an end, as the three-time Pro Bowler recently requested a trade from the rebuilding NFC franchise. 

Although Lawrence’s 31 total tackles and 0.5 sacks last season were uninspiring, he boasted a top-10 overall PFF grade for his position (75.6). Additionally, the physically imposing DL orchestrated three consecutive Pro Bowl-caliber campaigns before his lackluster 2025-26 season. 

Landing Lawrence this offseason would be the first step toward the Jets forming a formidable defensive unit that can carry their weight on a weekly basis. 

Well-positioned or not, though, New York must go the extra mile to secure Lawrence’s services, considering he’s also been linked to trades with several other organizations.

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