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A New York Giants star is responding to a team legend’s criticism of his play this season.
Carl Banks, one of the team’s greatest defensive players of all time, recently criticized Lawrence and said that no one in the league respects him anymore.
Banks said he has a good relationship with Lawrence, but a scathing performance statement like that, even from a team legend, usually doesn’t sit well.
Lawrence was asked what Banks said at his locker on Wednesday and, unsurprisingly, he didn’t appreciate it.
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Carl Banks of the New York Giants enjoys a suite during a game between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders at MetLife Stadium on February 18, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Kostas Lymperopoulos/NHLI)
“He’s delusional,” Lawrence responded, according to the New York Post. “His words are delusional.”
Maybe Banks was trying to motivate the Giants’ star defensive tackle, but Lawrence doesn’t see it that way at all.
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“Let’s say this. I hope people start trying to disrespect me. Let’s say that,” he said.
“I hope they start not respecting me because that’s not what’s being shown on the field. They’re showing a lot of respect on the field.”
The respect Lawrence speaks of refers to the double teams he constantly receives on game day, and that is not at all uncommon during his tenure with the Giants. Lawrence is arguably one of the best at his position in the NFL and it usually takes more than one man to keep him from getting into the backfield.
“I get a lot of attention,” he noted. “Check the numbers.”
The numbers, however, are what Banks and others in the Giants fan base are looking at with Lawrence this season. The three-time Pro Bowler had nine sacks last season and 44 combined tackles in 12 games.
Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants warms up before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
This year, Lawrence had just half a sack with 20 combined tackles in eight games. He recorded an interception in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, while also making three pass attempts at the line of scrimmage. Another telling statistic is having only four quarterback hits and six total pressures, which is unlike Lawrence.
“I think I’m playing well, yeah,” Lawrence said. “Those are strong words, but that’s how he feels. Screw him.”
Banks said on X that he is critical of all the players on his former team, and that sentiment was also conveyed in a response to the Post.
“I love Dex and will continue to support him and his teammates publicly,” he said. “I wish them great success. He remains my favorite giant. As I said in my group @BleavNetwork, to get out of the current mess, he and they will have to demand more of themselves. I have been, in my opinion, fair in my criticism, my observations and complementary not only to him but also to others. I do this publicly weekly.
Dexter Lawrence II of the New York Giants warms up before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
“If he’s not happy with me, I’m fine with that. It won’t change how I feel about him. Hopefully, collectively they’ll push themselves harder and finish strong.”
The Giants, now 2-6 after a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, will return to MetLife Stadium to face the San Francisco 49er on Sunday.
