The Chicago Bears are one team that has been swirling in trade rumors for embattled defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who recently requested a trade from the New York Giants.
While Lawrence didn’t have his best season, he’s a former two-time Second-Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler with plenty of talent that is looking for a new deal among top interior defensive linemen.
Chicago’s need for a top defensive tackle has fueled the rumors of their interest in Lawrence, and this week one beat writer believes the conversation is worth having for the organization. The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain appeared on 104.3 The Score and discussed why he feels the Bears should, at the bare minimum, inquire on Lawrence, especially with the draft a week away.
“I think you have to look into it,” Fishbain said. “This goes back to the extra second round pick, this goes back to picking 25th in the first round. You just have to do the research and figure out where that sack production was last year. I think you have to dive into the tape, figure it out, trust Dennis Allen, trust Ryan Poles, trust Ben Johnson, and figure out why he wasn’t as pass rush impactful last year, can he get back to the numbers he had before. Then you have a conversation with your cap guy about what restructures you would probably have to do to create the space. Then you have to have another conversation with ownership cause you’ll have to give him a lot of cash up front. There’s a few barriers to get through but you can’t ignore the fact that this is a three-time Pro Bowler at a position which you need help.”
There’s no denying that Lawrence would address a big position of need for Chicago, while upgrading their defensive line a massive way. But it’ll ultimately come down to if both ownership and the coaching staff agree he’s worth making a move for and if they can get him back to his Pro Bowl version.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears insider sounds off on potential trade for Dexter Lawrence
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
