With the 2026 NFL Draft kicking off, more light is being shed on what could’ve been on the trade front for the Chicago Bears.
Veteran defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who had voiced his displeasure with the New York Giants, was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the No. 10 overall pick straight up. It was the first time a non-quarterback had been traded for a Top-10 pick since Randy Moss in 2007, when he was traded to the then Oakland Raiders.
Lawrence’s trade was a big missed opportunity for the Bears, who were one of the teams rumored to be interested in the former All-Pro, but Cincinnati’s offer was too good for New York to pass up. This week, it was revealed that the Bears reportedly were willing to offer the No. 25 pick in exchange for Lawrence, according to NFL Insider Tony Pauline.
The rumor could mean a shift in expectations for the Bears on draft night, where they could elect to use the No. 25 pick to shore up the middle of their defensive line, targeting a player such as Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald or Clemson’s Peter Woods after missing out on Lawrence.
This offseason, the Bears have been linked to two superstar defensive players, Lawrence and Maxx Crosby, who returned to Las Vegas after a rescinded trade with the Baltimore Ravens. And while there’s no telling how close they truly were, the Bears are clearly doing due diligence at bare minimum.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Report: Bears made trade offer to Giants for Dexter Lawrence
Reporting by Mike Pendleton, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
