After defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, reports emerged that the Cleveland Browns were interested in him, too.

However, the latest report from Browns’ insider Mary Kay Cabot revealed why this failed attempt is not a loss for the team.

On April 20, Cabot revealed what the Browns would’ve had to give away for a new addition. 

“The Browns would have had to surrender their No. 24 or No. 39 picks and more to get him, but the Bengals gave up their No. 10 overall pick in this week’s draft, giving the Giants the No. 5 and No. 10 overall selections,” Cabot wrote.

The Bengals needed a player like Lawrence on their side. Their defense ranked 30th with 28.9 points allowed per game. They were determined to get Lawrence and gave up their #10 pick.

And why not? Lawrence is a consecutive three-time Pro Bowler who has recorded 30.5 sacks so far.

After 1989, this is the first time the Bengals will not draft a player in the first round.

As for the Browns, they already have a lot of defensive weapons. Their defense is led by the two-time and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett. 

The unit consists of safety Grant Delpit and the breakout rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger. 

Also, the Browns already have players like Mason Graham, Shelby Harris, and Adin Huntington as their defensive tackles. 

Last season, Graham made 49 tackles, of which 28 were solo, and seven were tackles for loss. While Graham recorded half a sack, Harris had one sack and 32 tackles.

Lastly, Huntington had 15 tackles and half a sack. The Browns were #4 as a defense with 283.6 yards per game in the 2025 campaign.

So even if the Browns missed out, is it really a loss? Cabot thinks not.

“In the end, it didn’t make sense for the Browns to give up a first-round pick or their high second for Lawrence, given the talent they currently have in their d-line room,” Cabot added.

Moreover, Lawrence’s trade came along with reports about his contract issues.

Dexter Lawrence's Trade Negotiations

NFL insider Ari Meirov reported on the contract the Bengals offered Lawrence and its implications. 

“Two things: This confirms he was done with the Giants and just wanted to get out,” he reported in an X post from 19 April. "It’s probably not far-fetched to say the contract dilemma could come up again a year from now."

Lawrence, reportedly, put in a trade request in early April at the New York Giants’ front office after contract negotiations stalled.

Adam Schefter reported that the parties were seeking a contract “reflecting his value to the team over the past three years.” The Bengals signed him for a year and cut a paycheck worth $28 million.

But what happens after the season ends? Well, that’s between the Bengals and Lawrence. Meanwhile, the Browns should focus on remaining a Top 5 defense in 2026, too.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore