Since Dexter Lawrence requested a trade in early April, the Jacksonville Jaguars emerged as a logical landing spot because they're in need of upgrades on the interior defensive line. And while there's no doubt that the three-time Pro Bowl nod could turbocharge the front four, it wouldn't be without risk.
For starters, Jordan Raanan of ESPN originally reported that a second-round selection could get a deal done, but it looks like the New York Giants want a lot more for him. Couple that with the fact that Dex is looking for a substantial raise, and Jacksonville could hesitate to make a push for him.
But wait! There's more. If the Jags had reservations about acquiring Lawrence, an NFL analyst just gave them another reason to steer clear.
The Jaguars are being urged not to trade for Dexter Lawrence
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports made an appearance on 101 XL's Duval Rundown and said that Dexter Lawrence would come with major flags, citing the fact that he's coming off a disappointing season but still wants a new deal.
"Well, he didn't play that well last year, and he's 29 years old. And those are always concerning things, not only that, you add to the fact that he's going to want a new contract, and this is a team that has other guys they have to pay," Prisco said (0:52 mark). "If the price was reasonable, maybe. But I think that more than the price, I think it's the fact that you've got to pay him, and he's 29. He's going to be 29; he didn't play that well last year by his standards. Now, he was hurt a little bit, so that matters as well."
Prisco continued, "But again, I think more than anything, it's the fact that he wants a new contract, and if you bring him in, you're giving away assets. But more than that, he's going to want to grumble and moan and groan about not having a new contract, just like he's doing with the Giants, so I don't think so. I don't think that's going to be happening in Jacksonville."
Lawrence is set to make $20 million in 2026 but wants to be paid in the high $20 million range. When you factor in that the Jags would have to give up a haul in exchange for him, trading for him suddenly looks like a long shot.
Why the Jaguars may ultimately pass on Dexter Lawrence
Jordan Schultz broke the news that Dexter Lawrence wants out of New York because he's looking for a new contract, but that's not the sole reason. From his perspective, the former Clemson Tiger has seen how the G-Men treated other players the past few years and doesn't feel appreciated.
That means that a change of scenery could help him get back on track.
On the other hand, the Jaguars would rightly have questions about his effort. Think about it, why would they pay a player who wants a substantial pay bump but is coming off a down year? The team's brass would have to see first that he's still the same dominant defensive tackle before giving him a new deal. And if the Giants were willing to take a second, a trade would make sense.
But based on the latest update, that doesn't appear to be the case. And unless things change, the Jaguars should steer clear of Dexter Lawrence.
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