The transition to Cincinnati has been an emotional journey for All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
In a video recently shared by the Bengals on X, Lawrence was seen walking onto the field at Paycor Stadium for the first time since his historic trade.
He admitted to feeling chills as he stepped onto the turf, taking a moment to smile and embrace his new surroundings in the Queen City. This immediate connection to the stadium atmosphere stands in stark contrast to the difficult negotiations that led to his departure from New York.
Despite the warm welcome, a significant logistical question remains regarding his arrival.
According to a report from ProFootballTalk, Lawrence is planning to make a specific request to a new teammate about his jersey number.
Lawrence wore number 97 throughout his career with the Giants, but that number is currently held by Shemar Stewart in Cincinnati.
During his introductory press conference on Monday, Lawrence acknowledged that he knows Stewart has the number but intends to speak with him to discuss potential options.
ProFootballTalk noted that while teams technically own the numbers, players often negotiate private deals to swap them, and they referenced the 2005 case of Clinton Portis, who bought number 26 for $40,000, highlighting that such transactions can sometimes lead to complications if the terms are not strictly followed.
The motivations behind this significant trade may extend beyond just bolstering defensive depth.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that a key factor in the deal was the desire to keep quarterback Joe Burrow satisfied.
With Burrow facing immense pressure to lead the team back to postseason success, the front office decided to trade the 10th overall pick to secure a proven veteran rather than gamble on a weak draft class for defensive tackles.
Executive circles suggest that, given the expected subpar talent pool at the position for the next two years, Lawrence offers a much higher immediate impact for the Bengals than any rookie available at the 10th pick.
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