Giants' Dexter Lawrence tackles Carl Banks' criticism head-on
Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 9, 2025. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Ahead of the Giants wearing their classic 1980s-era uniforms Sunday when they host the 49ers, a civil war is brewing between one of the old guard and a current great.
Former linebacker and current radio analyst Carl Banks criticized Dexter Lawrence after the team’s loss to the Eagles last weekend. The crux of Banks’ argument? Teams don’t fear the All-Pro defensive tackle anymore.
“Dexter Lawrence, nobody respects you anymore. Nobody. Your opponents do not,” Banks said Monday on the “Bleav in Giants” podcast. “The pre-injury Dexter is not there in their heads. They don’t respect you…..You’re on the field, (the Eagles) are blocking you with a nine-year backup center. You’re not making a difference, the old Dexter would.”
Lawrence, who suffered a dislocated elbow last Thanksgiving, has just a half-sack this season through eight games. On Wednesday, he responded to Banks.
“I don’t really know what he’s watching but he can say what he wants,” Lawrence said. “I’m gonna keep doing what I’m doing, trying to help us get a win.”
He disagreed that teams are disrespecting him and called Banks “delusional” for suggesting otherwise. Lawrence, who had a career-high nine sacks last season, also said to check the numbers because he believes he’s still getting a lot of attention from teams.
“I hope they start not respecting me because that’s not what’s showing on the field. They’re showing a lot of respect on the field,” Lawrence said.
Teams are double-teaming Lawrence at a higher rate this season than any defensive lineman. Lawrence has been double-teamed on 60% of his snaps, with the next highest rate being Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader (58.9%).
It’s part of why Lawrence’s sack total is the fewest through eight games than at any point in his seven-year career. He also has just one tackle for loss, although he got his first career interception against the Chargers in Week 4.
Twice, Lawrence said his elbow is not an issue, something that Banks said could be affecting his play. As for his sack total? Lawrence doesn't think it reflects how well he’s played.
“I don’t think numbers indicate anything for real. They’re just something that’s on the stat sheet,” he said. "I think the way I play is disruptive and you ask the people I play against, they’ll tell you the same thing, not people who’s talking.”
Banks won two Super Bowls with the Giants, is in the team’s Ring of Honor and was voted to the NFL’s 1980s All-Decade team. He added that Lawrence isn’t having the same impact that Giants rookie Darius Alexander or fellow defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris are against players that are also blocking Lawrence.
The Eagles started backup center Brett Toth in place of Cam Jurgens, who was injured. Alexander got his first career sack Sunday and Lawrence had a half-sack.
“I don’t know the circumstances but it’s time for you to start expecting more of yourself,” Banks said of Lawrence. “I don’t know if you’re injured, if you’ve fully recovered but it's time to start asking more of yourself because they don’t respect you. Your opponents don’t respect you.”
Lawrence’s teammates have praised how his presence is helping them make plays. Brian Burns, the NFL’s co-leader with 10 sacks, has often given Lawrence credit for helping him raise his game and draw attention off other defenders.
Rakeem Nunez-Roches said Monday that Lawrence is being blocked differently that any of the Giants’ linemen.
“When they see him out there, he's still a threat,” Nunez-Roches said. "They still know they have to keep him covered up. They still know they have to double, triple or seal him off for certain things. So, yes, he's still a weapon.”
Lawrence hasn’t spoken to Banks and figured the criticism could come from a lot of reasons, none of which he specified. But he didn’t think the words carried any weight despite Banks’ stature in the Giants organization.
He’s more focused on ending the Giants’ two-game losing streak. Even if that means dismissing criticism from a team legend.
“Those are strong words but that’s how he feels? [Expletive] it,” Lawrence said.
Blue notes
RT Jermaine Eluemunor (pectoral), WR Jalin Hyatt (tooth), TE Daniel Bellinger (neck), DL Chauncey Golston (neck), CB Cor’Dale Flott (concussion), CB Art Green (hamstring), G Greg Van Roten (rest) and CB Paulson Adebo (knee) didn’t practice Wednesday. S Jevon Holland (knee) was a limited participant.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
More Giants
