A war of words has erupted between a Giants legend and one of the team's biggest stars.
After former Clemson standout and All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was told "nobody respects you" by Giants icon Carl Banks, Lawrence fired back on Wednesday, calling the two-time Super Bowl champion's assessment "delusional."
The public feud ignited after the Giants' 38-20 loss to the Eagles, when Banks, now a team radio broadcaster, unleashed a scathing critique of the star defender on his podcast.
"Dexter Lawrence, nobody respects you anymore — nobody,” Banks said. “The pre-injury Dexter is not there in their heads. They don't respect you. ... You're on the field blocking you with a nine-year backup center. You're not making a difference. The old Dexter would."
'Check Those Numbers'
When asked about the brutal takedown from a franchise legend, Lawrence did not mince words.
“He’s delusional,” Lawrence told reporters. “His words are delusional.”
On paper, Lawrence's traditional stats are down. Through eight games, the three-time Pro Bowler has just 20 tackles and 0.5 sacks. This follows a 2024 season that was cut short by a dislocated elbow, an injury Lawrence insists is "not an issue."
But the former Clemson Tiger pointed to a different set of numbers as proof of the respect he commands from opposing offenses. According to ESPN, Lawrence is being double-teamed at a league-high 74.9% rate on pass-rush opportunities—even higher than his rate last year.
"I get a lot of attention," Lawrence said. "Check the numbers. Check those numbers.”
The 6-foot-4, 340-pound lineman argued that his impact goes far beyond the box score.
“I think the way I play is disruptive," Lawrence said. "If you ask the people I play against, they'll tell you the same thing, not people who's talking."
He finished with a sharp message for Banks and any other critics: if he's so disrespected, offenses should act like it.
“I hope people start trying to disrespect me. Let’s say that,” Lawrence said. “I hope they start not respecting me ‘cause that’s not what’s showing on the field. They’re showing a lot of respect on the field.”