![\"Dexter](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2253848428-e1775493810641.jpg\")
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Dexter Lawrence #97 of the New York Giants warms up prior to the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.<\/p>\n
With Mike McCarthy taking over as the Pittsburgh Steelers\u2019 new head coach for the 2026 season, predicting how the organization will operate has become much more difficult.<\/p>\n
Under previous head coach Mike Tomlin, the team was known for its veteran leadership and tough, gritty defenses. Under McCarthy, that identity could shift.<\/p>\n
McCarthy, an offensive play-caller at heart, will instill his own vision into a franchise he\u2019s long admired. Nevertheless, that doesn\u2019t mean he wouldn\u2019t welcome defensive additions if the opportunity presents itself.<\/p>\n
After New York Giants<\/a> defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II requested a trade on April 6, the Steelers were quickly mentioned as a potential landing spot.<\/p>\n Steelers Linked to Dexter Lawrence II Following Trade Request<\/p>\n ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter reported<\/a> that Lawrence requested a trade as the Giants began their offseason workout program on April 7.<\/p>\n \u201cLawrence and the Giants have been through two offseasons attempting to negotiate a contract reflecting his value to the Giants over the last three years, but there has not been any progress, per sources,\u201d Schefter reported.<\/p>\n That development immediately sparked speculation about potential suitors.<\/p>\n Sports Illustrated\u2019s Mike Kadlick<\/a> pointed to Pittsburgh as a logical fit, largely because of Lawrence\u2019s connection to new Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Steelers brought in Patrick Graham to lead their defense this past January after replacing head coach Mike Tomlin with Mike McCarthy. Graham, 47, served as the Giants\u2019 defensive coordinator and assistant head coach under Joe Judge from 2020 to \u201921 \u2014 working closely with, you guessed it, Lawrence,\u201d Kadlick wrote.<\/p>\n Kadlick also noted the Steelers have the financial flexibility to make a move.<\/p>\n \u201cPittsburgh currently sits in the top half of the league in terms of salary cap space with just over $27 million heading into the NFL<\/a> draft\u2026 why not continue building one of the league\u2019s best units by bringing in Lawrence alongside T.J. Watt, Derrick Harmon, Alex Highsmith and the rest of the bunch?\u201d<\/p>\n On paper, it\u2019s an intriguing idea \u2014 but it would come with real risk.<\/p>\n Contract Demands Could Make Steelers Think Twice<\/p>\n The entire reason for Lawrence\u2019s trade request is rooted in contract negotiations with the Giants, meaning any team that acquires him would need to offer him a new deal.<\/p>\n Spotrac projects Lawrence to land a three-year, $82 million contract, which would be a significant investment.<\/p>\n On top of that, a team like the Steelers would inherit $20 million of his current contract this season and $19.5 million in 2027 before he hits free agency. The Giants, meanwhile, would absorb a $13.9 million dead cap hit but clear $13 million in space this year.<\/p>\n Assuming an extension is involved, Dexter Lawrence currently projects toward a 3 year, $82M contract according to Spotrac’s model. https:\/\/t.co\/M4QkXb1gog<\/a>\n<\/p>\n \u2014 Spotrac (@spotrac) April 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n That\u2019s a hefty commitment \u2014 especially for a team entering a new era under McCarthy.<\/p>\n The Steelers appear to be trending toward getting younger and cheaper. A move for Lawrence wouldn\u2019t necessarily align with that approach.<\/p>\n While he\u2019ll be just 29 in November, he\u2019s coming off a down season statistically, recording just 0.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits and 31 combined tackles \u2014 all career lows.<\/p>\n He is a former two-time second-team All-Pro back in 2022 and 2023.<\/p>\n For a team maybe trying to reshape its roster for the future, that kind of investment could be difficult to justify.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tShane Shoemaker<\/a> Shane Shoemaker is a sports journalist covering college football and the NFL for Heavy.com. His work has also appeared in The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, USA TODAY, and ClutchPoints, along with high school sports coverage for the Marion Tribune. More about Shane Shoemaker<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Steelers\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t