Giant Move

The New York Giants rewarded a franchise cornerstone with a massive contract extension, but it was not the franchise tagged running back Saquon Barkley. 

Instead of playing under his fifth-year option, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is signing a five-year, $90 million deal to remain in the middle of New York’s defense for years to come. 

Giants’ All-Pro DT Dexter Lawrence reached agreement today on a four-year, $90 million extension, including $60 million guaranteed, per sources. The deal makes Lawrence the third highest-paid DT in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/PHhRdZv1k2

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 4, 2023

GETTY IMAGES: The New York Giants agreed to a five-year, $90 million extension with All-Pro IDL Dexter Lawrence

Lawrence enjoyed a breakout year in 2022 as one of the top interior defensive linemen in the NFL, culminating in both a Pro Bowl and second team All-Pro selection.

At 6’4, 342 pounds, the 2019 first round pick is not only a force to be reckoned with when defending the run, but can get after the quarterback as well. His 7.5 sacks in 2022 was a career high. 

The ceiling of a player like Lawrence may very well be on the mind of the Philadelphia Eagles as second-year DT Jordan Davis develops, while Davis can now look at Lawrence’s new deal as a benchmark when he first becomes eligible for a contract extension after his third season. 

Following the team’s first playoff appearance since 2016 and first postseason win in over a decade, Giants General Manager Joe Schoen adds another big accomplishment in his busy offseason that also locked up QB Daniel Jones long-term while acquiring a Pro Bowl pass target with the trade for TE Darren Waller. 

Now, all eyes turn to what to do with Barkley, though Schoen remains hopeful of a new deal. 

Lamb Eyes Extension

The Cowboys recently exercised the fifth-year option for wideout CeeDee Lamb, who enters his fourth season after hauling 1,359 receiving yards for his second straight 1,000-yard season.

Lamb and the team could also reach an extension before the start of next season. Either way, Lamb sounded like someone who plans to be in Dallas for a while, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic.

CeeDee Lamb on his contract and future with the Cowboys: “I’m very excited, Dallas is somewhere I’ve always wanted to be. I don’t see myself really wearing any other jersey. I don’t really want to get into too much detail on that, but I’m definitely excited for the future.” pic.twitter.com/c9pMqXqnx6

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) May 4, 2023

Lamb, a two-time Pro Bowler, has 3,396 yards and 20 touchdowns in his three-year Cowboys career. He had 15 receptions for 188 yards and two touchdowns in two games against the Eagles.

Lamb typically plays inside for the Cowboys, who were hurt last year by the lack of a perimeter threat. Michael Gallup, coming back from an ACL tear, finished with just 424 yards and averaged a career-low 11 yards per reception, down about four yards per reception on average.

Dallas added six-time 1,000-yard wideout Brandin Cooks to its stable in the offseason, arming QB Dak Prescott with a veteran weapon who has a career yards-per-catch average near 14.

McLeod Signs With Browns

Rodney McLeod, a safety who won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2017, signed with the Browns on Thursday.

McLeod, who played for the Colts last season, enters his 12th season and has played at least 13 games in 10 of his 11 seasons.

Last year, McLeod logged two interceptions and a career-best eight pass breakups for the Colts, who finished 4-12-1.

It’s Official

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson officially signed his five-year extension Thursday, cementing his return to the organization that drafted him 32nd overall in 2018.

Done. Deal. pic.twitter.com/Ptr1LFovPb

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 4, 2023

Jackson, the 2019 league MVP, has made two Pro Bowls but hasn’t started more than 12 games in each of the past two seasons.

The extension he signed made him the NFL’s highest-paid player, taking that distinction away from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, who held the title for about three weeks.

It also came with some history, per former NFL agent Joel Corry:

Lamar Jackson's $72.5M signing bonus is the most ever in an NFL contract. Dak Prescott had the previous record with $66M.

— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) May 4, 2023

Jackson, of course, might also not hold onto the title for very long, as Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is also eligible for an extension, as is Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

– Benjamin Paul and Geoff Mosher contributed to this report for InsideTheBirds.com.