Dexter Lawrence has 'fire in me that I've never had before' after Giants trade him to Bengals

Dexter Lawrence’s caller section successful nan NFL has begun, and he admitted for nan first clip since nan New York Giants traded him to nan Cincinnati Bengals that he has a "fire successful maine that I’ve ne'er had before."

The Giants fulfilled Lawrence’s waste and acquisition petition connected Saturday, sending nan three-time Pro Bowl protect tackle to nan Bengals successful speech for nan No. 10 wide prime successful nan 2026 NFL Draft — a blockbuster woody that changes things successful nan first information group to footwear disconnected from Pittsburgh connected Thursday night.

Lawrence was nan 17th wide prime of nan 2019 draft, and he quickly became a fan-favorite for nan Giants arsenic good arsenic arguably nan champion interior protect lineman successful nan NFL.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Dexter Lawrence II of nan New York Giants warms up anterior to an NFL shot crippled against nan Pittsburgh Steelers astatine Acrisure Stadium connected October 28, 2024 successful Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

But, contempt 2 much years near connected his statement and a caller authorities pinch John Harbaugh successful spot arsenic nan Giants’ caller caput coach, Lawrence wanted out. In nan past, players person utilized that arsenic a strategical move to get a new, much lucrative extension.

This wasn’t 1 of those times, but Lawrence is viewing this caller move to Cincinnati arsenic a caller commencement that has him much motivated than ever.

GIANTS TRADE STAR DEFENSIVE TACKLE DEXTER LAWRENCE TO BENGALS IN DRAFT WEEK BLOCKBUSTER

"They wanted maine present and they admit nan activity that I’ve put successful complete nan past 7 seasons," Lawrence told Bengals power play-by-play announcer Dan Hoard, which was published connected nan charismatic squad YouTube channel. "I admit that and I’m going to do everything I tin to show them that they didn’t discarded [a apical 10 pick]. I’m excited. I’ve sewage a occurrence successful maine that I’ve ne'er had before, truthful I’m excited. I’m excited to beryllium a Bengal."

It was besides astir money astatine nan extremity of nan day, pinch nan Bengals dishing retired a one-year, $28 cardinal extension, which keeps him pinch nan squad done nan 2028 play for a full of 3 years and $70 million. He still had $42 cardinal remaining connected his erstwhile woody pinch nan Giants.

Lawrence added that his offseason play successful New York was a "long process," but he felt alleviation and excitement erstwhile nan woody was yet made betwixt nan teams.

Dexter Lawrence of nan New York Giants warms up anterior to nan crippled against nan Kansas City Chiefs astatine MetLife Stadium connected Sept. 21, 2025. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

"God sewage maine done it, and correct now, I’m fresh to fto my ray radiance and spell triumph immoderate games."

As Lawrence mentioned, he’s hoping not to beryllium a disappointment successful his caller metropolis considering nan magnitude paid by nan Bengals to get him. But nan 340-pound protect tackle has been rather nan problem for opposing violative lines, collecting 30.5 sacks, 15 walk breakups, and 341 mixed tackles (40 for loss) successful 109 profession games pinch nan Giants.

TRADES COULD SAVE NFL DRAFT LACKING FRANCHISE QBS, POLARIZING PLAYERS FROM BEING A YAWNER

Last play besides marked nan first clip Lawrence played each 17 games of his profession since they implemented nan other regular-season title successful 2021.

"I cognize group are going to opportunity [there’s] pressure, but I clasp it," Lawrence said. "I bring it in. It doesn’t impact me, nan pressure. I conscionable cognize who I americium and I’m going to enactment existent to that. I’m going to beryllium nan feline to thief this defense spell to nan adjacent level."

New York Giants protect tackle Dexter Lawrence II gestures during nan first 4th against nan Philadelphia Eagles astatine MetLife Stadium successful East Rutherford, N.J., connected Oct. 9, 2025. (Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

As Lawrence looks up to caller beginnings, nan Giants, equipped pinch 2 picks successful nan apical 10 of nan first-round of this year’s draught — they besides person No. 5 — Harbaugh and nan remainder of nan squad will look to deed large pinch these cardinal rookie additions.

The Giants person made nan playoffs conscionable doubly since nan 2016 season.