For a player who has been the immovable anchor of the New York Giants' defense, Dexter Lawrence is now facing the harshest of criticisms from one of the franchise's most revered figures. In a stunning assessment, Giants legend and two-time Super Bowl champion Carl Banks declared that the All-Pro defensive tackle is no longer the feared presence he once was, claiming that respect for him in the trenches has evaporated.
"Dexter Lawrence, nobody respects you anymore. Nobody," Banks stated unequivocally. "Your opponents do not. The pre-injury Dexter is not there in their heads. They don't respect you".
What I said 👇🏾 @BleavNetwork pic.twitter.com/XJU6wr5rRN
— Carl Banks (@CarlBanksGIII) October 27, 2025
A Damning Assessment
Banks, a cornerstone of the legendary "Big Blue Wrecking Crew," did not mince words, pointing to recent game tape as proof of Lawrence's diminished impact. He highlighted a specific, and in his view, embarrassing, example of Lawrence's struggles.
"You're on the field. They're blocking you with a nine-year backup center," Banks said. "You're not making a difference. The old Dexter would".
The critique became even more pointed when Banks contrasted Lawrence's performance with that of his own teammates. He argued that when Lawrence is substituted out of the game, his replacements are having more success against the very same offensive linemen.
"When Darius Alexander gets in the game, when Roy Robinson gets in the game and they substitute for you, those guys are making plays against the same guys that are blocking you," Banks observed.
A Challenge Issued
While Banks acknowledged that he doesn't know the specifics of Lawrence's physical condition or if he is still recovering from a past injury, he made it clear that the current level of play is unacceptable. The Giants icon concluded with a direct challenge to the team's star defender, putting the onus squarely on Lawrence to rediscover his dominant form.
"I'm going to just say this. Again, I don't know the circumstances," Banks admitted before delivering his final verdict. "It's time for you to start expecting more of yourself... it's time to start asking more of yourself because they don't respect you".