Dexter Lawrence Rips ‘Delusional’ Carl Banks for Comments Critical of Giants DT

New York Giants legend and radio broadcaster Carl Banks recently criticized defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence for his 2025 play, and the three-time Pro Bowler fired back on Wednesday when reporters asked about the remarks, to the point where he even called the two-time Super Bowl winner “delusional.”

Banks had some tough criticism for Lawrence during the latest edition of his Bleav in Giants podcast with Big Blue play-by-play commentator Bob Papa, saying that “nobody respects” the ex-Clemson star anymore.

Lawrence has had a relatively quiet season compared to past campaigns, totaling just one half-sack, four quarterback hits and 20 tackles in eight games. He also had an interception in a 21-18 home win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Last year, Lawrence was enjoying a great individual season through 12 games, racking up nine sacks, 44 tackles (23 solo) and 16 quarterback hits. Per NFL.com digital content producer Coral Smith, Lawrence was double-teamed on 63.8 percent of his pass rush snaps. That mark was the highest out of any player with at least 200 pass rushes in a season since 2018.

Unfortunately, Lawrence suffered a dislocated left elbow in a 27-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day last season, and he missed the rest of the campaign.

Per NFL+ (h/t Patricia Traina for New York Giants on SI), Lawrence was facing a double team on 61.2 percent of his pass rushes through the first seven weeks of this season.

So the double teams for the 6’4″, 340-pound lineman are still there. However, the production hasn’t been, for whatever reason. Of course, it’s hard enough to handle double teams on well more than half of pass-rushes, shedding light on Lawrence’s remarkably impressive 2024 season.

As for 2025, Banks essentially said that there’s a marked difference between pre-injury Lawrence and the defensive tackle taking the field this season. The fact of the matter is that Lawrence’s numbers are significantly down year over year, for whatever reason. Of course, Lawrence is capable of far better play, so we’ll see if things turn around for him in the back half of the season.

In the meantime, the Giants are slogging through what appears to be another lost season. For the eighth time in nine seasons, New York has started 1-7 or 2-6 after eight games. This time, it’s 2-6, and things don’t get easier, with the Giants slated to face teams with winning records in each of their next five games, beginning Sunday at home against the San Francisco 49ers.