Bengals Trade 10th Overall Pick for Dexter Lawrence and Restructure Burrow Contract

The Cincinnati Bengals acquired Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II by trading the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The team also converted $13 million of quarterback Joe Burrow's base salary into a signing bonus. That restructuring created more than $10 million in additional salary cap space for the upcoming season.

Katie Blackburn, executive vice president, met with reporters in Cincinnati on Monday, June 15, 2026. She said the front office feels the roster is close to contending again after three non-playoff seasons. "Obviously, we feel good about the talent we have," Blackburn said.

"We feel like we have a strong base to work around. Does that make you take advantage of that other little piece? " Bengals vice president Elizabeth Blackburn also participated in the session. She said the decision to add Lawrence was "on and off the table at different times" before the team completed the trade ahead of the draft.

"When a defensive tackle like Dexter -- that's a pretty special player who can do a lot for your defense -- they are rarely available," Elizabeth Blackburn said. " Katie Blackburn noted that the organization has historically avoided moves that create future cap problems. "We've always been pretty careful of trying not to make things unbalanced," she said.

The additions of Lawrence and the extra cap space came after the Bengals finished 27th in points allowed per drive last season. The moves occurred during an offseason in which Burrow's contract is set to expire in 2029.