The Cincinnati Bengals' mid-April acquisition of Dexter Lawrence via trade from the New York Giants, paired with a new three-year contract extension through 2028, has anchored the heavy market consensus that the veteran defensive tackle will open the season on Cincinnati's roster. The deal sent the Bengals' 2026 first-round pick to New York, after which Lawrence passed his physical and signed on for added cash in 2026 and 2027. This move bolsters Cincinnati's interior defensive line ahead of training camp and the regular season, with no subsequent roster developments or injury reports suggesting otherwise. A late training-camp injury or improbable second trade could still intervene, yet current contract status and team commitments make such shifts unlikely.