Dexter Lawrence refutes Carl Banks’ claim NFL players don’t respect him anymore

A New York Giants star is firing back at a team legend’s criticism of his play this season.

Carl Banks, one of the team’s best defensive players of all time, recently called out Lawrence, saying no one in the league respected him anymore.

Banks said he had a relationship with Lawrence, but a scathing performance statement like that, even from a team legend, doesn’t usually sit well.

Lawrence was asked about what Banks said in his locker on Wednesday, and predictably, he didn’t like it.

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Carl Banks of the New York Giants enjoys a follow-up 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 illusory.”

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 this,” he said.

“I hope they start disrespecting me because that’s not what you see on the pitch. They show a lot of respect on the pitch.”

The respect Lawrence speaks of refers to the double teams he regularly gets on game days, and that’s not at all uncommon throughout 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 other members of the Giants fan base are reviewing 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 has only half a sack with 20 combined tackles in eight games. He recorded an interception in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, while also completing three pass attempts at the line of scrimmage. Another eye-opening stat 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. Fuck.”

Banks said on X that he was critical of every player on his former team, and that sentiment was also reflected in a response to the Post.

“I love Dex and will continue to publicly support him and his teammates,” he said. “I wish them much success. He remains my favorite giant. As I said on my @BleavNetwork pod, to get out of the current mess, he and they will have to ask more of themselves. I have been, in my opinion, fair in my criticism, my observations as well as complementary not only to him but also to others. I do this publicly every week.

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)

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“If he’s not happy with me, I’m OK with that. It won’t change how I feel about him. I hope they collectively demand more of themselves 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 49ers on Sunday.

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