Dexter Lawrence says he has new ‘fire’ inside in first comments since trade from Giants to Bengals

Watch out, NFL, Dexter Lawrence sounds like a man on a mission next season.

In his first interview since he was traded to the Bengals, the defensive tackle said he has a “fire in me that I’ve never had before.”

The Giants traded Lawrence on Saturday in a deal with the Bengals, ending the first offseason drama in the John Harbaugh era. The defensive star had requested to be dealt after he and the Giants couldn’t come to an agreement on a reworked contract.

Cincinnati was able to pull off the trade by sending the Giants their No. 10 overall pick.

During an interview with Bengals radio voice Dan Hoard published on the team’s YouTube channel, Lawrence was asked what message it sent that Cincinnati was willing to give up a top 10 pick in the draft and give him a new contract immediately.

Dexter Lawrence II #97 of the New York Giants walks off the field at the end of the game at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“They wanted me here and they appreciated the work that I’ve put in over the last seven seasons,” Lawrence said. “I appreciate that and I’m going to do everything I can to show them that they didn’t waste [a top 10 pick]. I’m excited. I’ve got a fire in me that I’ve never had before, so I’m excited. I’m excited to be a Bengal.”

Lawrence is looking forward to moving on after the offseason drama that ended his tenure in the Big Apple.

The defensive tackle called the lead-up to Saturday’s trade a “long process,” but said that once he first heard that the Bengals could be where he ended up, there was “excitement.”

“God got me through it, and right now, I’m ready to let my light shine and go win some games,” he said.

Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) waves to fans after the game when the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, January 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) waves to fans after the game when the New York Giants defeated the <a class="link " href="https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/dallas/" data-i13n="sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link" data-ylk="slk:Dallas Cowboys;sec:content-canvas;subsec:anchor_text;elm:context_link;itc:0" data-yga="{"yLinkElement":"context_link","yModuleName":"content-canvas","yLinkText":"Dallas Cowboys","ySubModuleName":"anchor_text","yHasCommerce":false}">Dallas Cowboys</a> Sunday, January 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Robert Sabo for NY Post — Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) waves to fans after the game when the New York Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, January 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Robert Sabo for NY Post

Lawrence was given a one-year, $28 million contract extension after the trade was officially announced, and his extension keeps him with the Bengals through the 2028 season.

But the price that Cincinnati paid and the contract extension will put a big spotlight on Lawrence’s play this season. Lawrence had a career year in 2024 when he had nine sacks in 12 games, but struggled in 2025, recording just half a sack.

“I know people are going to say [there’s] pressure, but I embrace it,” he said when asked about being the piece to help get Cincinnati back to a Super Bowl. “I bring it in. It doesn’t affect me, the pressure. I just know who I am and I’m going to stay true to that. I’m going to be the guy to help this defense go to the next level.”

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