Fine, let's have the Dexter Lawrence conversation

A Dexter Lawrence trade appears increasingly likely. That doesn't mean a move for the All-Pro defensive tackle looks any more practicable for the Packers, however.

In a relatively short period of time, the Dexter Lawrence saga went from the front burner to a low simmer before reigniting late Tuesday night.

On April 6, Lawrence first went public with his dissatisfaction over the lack of progress in contract talks. The All-Pro defensive tackle had long sought a new deal from the New York Giants and, unable to make sufficient progress, told the team that he would not participate in offseason workouts and formally requested a trade. The following day, a report estimated that Lawrence’s next contract would land between $30 million and $35 million annually.

Later the same week, members of the Giants’ leadership tried to cool off tensions. Head coach John Harbaugh said that while the trade did not come as a surprise, the team would “try to work through it.” The rumor mill largely slowed after that, with New York general manager Joe Schoen providing a non-update during his pre-draft press conference early on Tuesday.

“We’ve had good conversations with his representatives throughout the last five or six days,” Schoen said, adding, “We’d like for Dexter to be here, and at some point, we’ll come to a resolution here. Whatever that may be, we’ll see. Conversations have been really good. They’ve been productive. Again, we’ll see what happens here more down the road. I’m not going to say any more about it after that. That’s the update. That’s really all there is.”

Either Schoen undersold the extent of those “conversations” or the discussions took an unexpected turn in the hours that followed. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that contract negotiations with Lawrence “have reached an impasse,” and that the Giants have “engaged with teams on a potential trade.”

While Rapoport did not name any of Lawrence’s suitors, it stands to reason that the Green Bay Packers could rank among them. As currently constructed, they lack a nose tackle to anchor their defensive line, a void that Lawrence could fill as well as any available player.

But while the Giants might actually shop Lawrence, a potential trade presents just as many challenges now as it did when the All-Pro first requested out of New York.