Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has already requested a trade from the New York Giants. Although the Giants haven't publicly committed to moving the three-time Pro Bowler, they may be planning for the possibility. That notion gained credence in light of Monday's meeting with free-agent D.J. Reader, who plays the same position.
As a nose tackle-needy team, the Green Bay Packers should take note. Trading for Lawrence, which in practice would mean extending him afterward, would be a hefty investment, but the defense is desperate for a force up the middle. In an all-in type of season, Lawrence would fit the bill.
If the Giants are exploring potential replacements like Reader, the chance that Lawrence becomes available would seem to be more likely. In that case, the Packers could go from fantasizing in the world of hypotheticals to making concrete offers in a sweepstakes.
And NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has offered even more hope.
"The Giants and star DL Dexter Lawrence, who have been talking about a new big-money extension, have reached an impasse, sources say," Rapoport writes. "The Giants have engaged with teams on a potential trade and that will continue. It should come to a head before the Draft."
D.J. Reader's visit with Giants could offer hope to Packers about Dexter Lawrence
Not to jump the gun, of course. That the Giants invited Reader for a visit doesn't mean a Lawrence trade will happen. It doesn't mean they are doing anything more than due diligence in case Lawrence does get moved at some point. In fact, they could sign Reader with no intention of trading Lawrence at all.
That's how senior New York Post reporter Paul Schwartz interpreted the news of Reader's visit. The Giants are looking to fortify the defensive front, so adding Reader would make sense.
But there is another side to the coin. While Reader and Lawrence would be compatible together, both have experience at nose tackle. If the Giants trade Lawrence, Reader could step in to replace him. Does interviewing the former Detroit Lions DT make it more or less likely that Lawrence will be traded?
It's not less.
Lawrence did not appear for the start of the Giants' offseason workout program. That could be something capable of being smoothed over by a larger dollar amount from the front office. Or it could be the beginning of the end.
That's how it went for Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys last summer, culminating in an ugly divorce and a blockbuster trade with the Packers less than two weeks before the season.
Sitting out offseason workouts is nothing new, of course, among players attempting to negotiate a higher paycheck. Even trade requests can be rescinded (hello there, Myles Garrett).
That usually happens, however, when the player gets the money he wants, or something close to it. As of last week, ESPN reported that the Giants had "shown no tremendous appetite" to extend Lawrence, who is coming off a down season and has two years remaining on his current four-year, $87.5 million contract.
Without an extension, that trade request isn't going anywhere. Arguably, the Giants would get the best return for Lawrence by trading him sooner rather than later, rather than lose leverage if his holdout continues and teams sense them becoming desperate for a resolution. The possible asking price is already surprisingly modest.
Even in a lackluster 2025 campaign, Lawrence was Pro Football Focus' ninth-ranked defensive tackle. Just two seasons ago, he posted a career-best nine sacks and eight tackles for loss. He won't turn 29 until November. He's still a good player, and the Packers have every reason to be interested.
Reader's visit might mean nothing, or it could be the smoke visible before the fire. Rapoport's update suggests it could be the latter. In any case, it should have the vultures circling a little lower.
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