New York Giants star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has built an impressive resume since being drafted in the first round in 2019, earning recognition as one of the NFL’s premier interior defenders. But with the Giants once again struggling and Lawrence’s production dipping, frustrations around the team continue to boil.
Giants legend Carl Banks recently questioned Lawrence’s play, suggesting he hasn’t commanded the same respect since returning from injury. The critique didn’t sit well with Lawrence, and he fired back by calling Banks’ comments “delusional.”
Dexter Lawrence Fires Back at Carl Banks’ “Delusional” Criticism
Banks took aim at defensive tackle Lawrence during this week’s episode of his Bleav podcast with play-by-play voice Bob Papa. Banks’ critique followed New York’s 38–20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, a game in which Lawrence recorded three tackles and was credited with half a sack.
“Dexter Lawrence, nobody respects you anymore. Nobody,” Banks said, arguing the two-time All-Pro isn’t performing at the dominant level he showed in previous seasons.
Lawrence’s production has dipped on the stat sheet, but the three-time Pro Bowler insists his impact remains high and isn’t defined by box-score totals. For context, he is ranked 23rd in PFSN’s DT Impact metric with a rating of 78.7.
“Those are strong words,” Lawrence said Wednesday when asked about Banks’ remarks. “That’s how he feels? F— it!”
“He’s delusional,” Lawrence added. “His words are delusional.”
Part of the context behind Lawrence’s quieter numbers is the attention he’s drawing. This season, he leads the league in double-team rate on pass rush snaps at 74.9 percent, slightly higher than his 74.5 percent mark last year, when he posted 44 tackles, nine sacks, 18 initial pressures, and 16 quarterback hits in 12 games before suffering an elbow injury.
In 2025, Lawrence has totaled 20 tackles (one for loss), 0.5 sacks, an interception, 10 initial pressures, and four quarterback hits. While the numbers are modest, he argues they fail to capture his disruption.
“I think I am doing what I can when I get the opportunities. Numbers are not everything. I’ve been an advocate of that last year, the year before that…I think the way I play is disruptive, and if you ask the people, they’ll say the same thing,” he said.
The double-team rate backs up Lawrence’s point that opposing offenses are still treating him like a problem. And if some believe he’s slipped since the injury, Lawrence seems fine leaning into their doubt.
“Let’s say this, I hope people start trying to disrespect me,” he said. “Let’s say that.”
Banks later responded through the New York Post, noting he holds every Giants player to the same standard and hopes criticism fuels improvement.
“If he’s unhappy with me, I’m OK with that,” Banks said. “It won’t change how I feel about him. Hopefully they’ll ask more of themselves and finish strong. They have the talent, and I’ll be rooting for that.”
