The Bengals’ move to land Dexter Lawrence for the 10th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft looks even better now.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Philadelphia is giving Jalen Carter a new contract that resets the market for interior defensive linemen. Schefter posted on X: "Breaking: Eagles are signing two-time Pro-Bowl selection Jalen Carter to a four-year, $152 million extension worth up to $160 million, including $106 million guaranteed that now makes him the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history, per his agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus. Carter now will be under contract to the Eagles through the 2031 season."
That matters for Cincinnati because Lawrence’s deal suddenly sits in a different light. According to Spotrac, Lawrence is making an average of $28 million per year with the Bengals. He had been the third-highest-paid interior defensive lineman entering the day, but Carter’s extension pushes him to No. 4 behind Carter ($38 million), Jeffery Simmons ($35.27 million), and Chris Jones ($31.75 million).
It’s not a huge drop, but it still nudges Lawrence’s contract value in Cincinnati’s favor. He is set to account for just 4.8% of the 2026 salary cap, with that number peaking at 8.7% in 2028 and sitting at 7.4% next year. Carter, meanwhile, is taking up 2.2% this season and 8.7% next season.
And the Bengals are clearly eager to see what Lawrence can do once the pads come on. Defensive coordinator Al Golden said Monday he has spent plenty of time studying Lawrence this offseason, and the film has only raised his expectations.
"The biggest thing is there's a lot of single blocks that you know look good on paper and walkthroughs, and those are the ones he's got to win for us when the pads go on or when we're playing a preseason game or scrimmage in Chicago, whatever the case may be," Golden told the media on Monday. "So I've watched it, his lineage and his history.
He's done that consistently over time. He's demonstrated that at a high level.
He can beat one-on-one blocks."
Lawrence also brings serious disruption as a pass rusher. He is the only interior defensive lineman in the league to record 65-plus pressures from the nose tackle spot since 2023.
There are two players with at least 50 (and 60) pressures from the nose tackle spot over the last three combined seasons.One of them just got dealt for the 10th overall pick. The other...requested a trade! pic.twitter.com/GiplyohMmi
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For Cincinnati, the timing is notable because the front office already addressed the position this offseason by adding Dexter Lawrence II, a move that gave the defense a bigger, more disruptive presence in the middle. Defensive coordinator Al Golden has spoken highly of Lawrences ability to win one-on-one matchups and hold his ground, which makes the Bengals feel set at the spot even as one of their first opponents deals with uncertainty there. [Read more 🡒]
Zac Taylor Just Sent A Different Message About Bengals Expectations
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What makes this worth watching is how that pressure may be shaping the way he leads. Taylor has suggested it is pushing him to be more demanding and more accountable with his coaching staff, a subtle but meaningful change for a team that has not yet played a regular-season or preseason game. The Bengals still have to show it on the field, but the tone around the building already sounds a little different. [Read more 🡒]