The 2026 NFL Draft is days away, but incoming rookies aren’t the only players looking for a new home. New York Giants star Dexter Lawrence recently requested a trade, so he’s also awaiting word on his NFL future.
Could the Los Angeles Chargers emerge as a landing spot for Lawrence?
Are the Los Angeles Chargers a Trade Destination for Giants Star Dexter Lawrence?
NFL.com editor Gennaro Filice predicted that Chargers could be a trade partner for the Giants if they decide to cut ties with Lawrence.
“Three months into his tenure as Giants head coach, John Harbaugh has encountered his first dilemma, with superstar DT Dexter Lawrence asking to be traded,” Filice wrote. “Immediately following Lawrence’s request, Harbaugh publicly stated the team’s desire to repair the relationship, but said, ‘there’s business involved.’
“It appears that business has gone south, with NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reporting on Tuesday that the Giants have reached an impasse in extension talks with the three-time Pro Bowler. Maybe it’s time for John to pick up the phone and call his brother. For counsel? No, to make a deal! I’m thinking Jim Harbaugh could be interested in beefing up the Chargers’ defensive front with a 6-foot-4, 340-pound game wrecker.
“And with cap space galore, Los Angeles can give Lawrence the new megadeal he craves. Is the No. 22 overall pick enough to get a deal done with New York? If not, the Bolts could toss in Quentin Johnston — a name that’s drawn trade rumors this offseason — as a sweetener for the WR-needy Giants.”
A Harbaugh-to-Harbaugh trade would be a ton of fun and a great way to kick off John’s first season at the helm of the Giants.
Last season, Los Angeles ranked No. 8 in PFSN’s Defensive Impact metric with a grade of 82.9. Meanwhile, the Giants ranked No. 23 with a DEFi grade of 69.7, proving that Harbaugh and DC Dennard Wilson have their work cut out for them entering the 2026 season.
Recently, Giants GM Joe Schoen was asked about Lawrence and essentially explained that while negotiations are ongoing, his current contract, which he agreed to, still has two years remaining on it.
Mike Florio of “Pro Football Talk,” responded to Schoen’s stance by criticizing the unfair balance when it comes to these types of contract disputes.
“I didn’t love the ‘he’s under contract for two more years’ thing, because again it highlights the one-way nature of these deals,” said Florio. “He can’t do a thing about it, but if he wasn’t living up to what he was due to make, he would not be under contract for the next two years; they would rip it up. He’s got no way out of this other than to say he’s not happy and withhold services.”
It’s worth noting that Lawrence just ranked 38th among all defensive tackles in PFSN’s DT Impact Rankings for last season, which was his worst finish of the past five years.
