General manager John Schneider's move to get defensive lineman Leonard Williams from the New York Giants during the 2023 season turned out to be brilliant. Schneider might have the opportunity to steal another gem from New York as defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has reportedly requested a trade.
This is according to NFL insider Adam Schefter, who tweeted on Monday, "Lawrence and the Giants have been through two offseasons attempting to negotiate a contract reflecting his value to the Giants over the last three years, but there has not been any progress, per sources."
Lawrence is under contract with the Giants through 2027, according to Over the Cap, and he carries a couple of pretty massive cap hits. In 2026, that number is $26,958,130, and in 2027 it grows to $28,958,130. Seattle can afford that, especially if Lawrence is signed to an extension, which would lower his cap hit next season.
Seattle Seahawks should make a move to acquire Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants
Seattle and John Schneider are also in a good spot to potentially trade for Lawrence, as the team could ask Leonard Williams what kind of teammate Lawrence is and how he might fit into the Seahawks' elite culture. What is clear is that adding Lawrence would augment an already great defensive line.
The defensive tackle is still just 28 years old, and while he missed five games in 2024, that is the only season in which he has missed more than one game. While he didn't post great pass-rush numbers last season, he has throughout most of his career. He has twice been named Second-Team All-Pro and is a three-time Pro Bowler.
His experience playing next to Williams would make the transition to the Seahawks smoother, too. Williams was added by the Giants in 2019, which was Lawrence's rookie season. The two players worked together from that season through the first half of 2023, when Williams was traded to Seattle.
How much it would take to acquire Dexter Lawrence, assuming the New York Giants want to trade him, is unknown. He is good enough to recoup some good draft value. That could include a first-rounder, but one would safely assume at least a second-rounder.
John Schneider might not want to part with any other Seattle Seahawks draft picks in 2026, though. The team only has four total, one in each of the first three rounds and then a sixth-rounder. Dealing one or two of the picks leaves Seattle with nearly nothing in the draft.
Still, 12s can only dream for now of a potential defensive line that features Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, Byron Murphy II, Jarran Reed, and Rylie Mills. That would arguably be the best group on the D-line in the NFL, and keep Seattle disruptive enough to make a run at another Super Bowl title.