Dexter Lawrence blasts Giants legend Carl Banks after harsh criticisms

Shortly after the New York Giants fell to 2-6 on the season via a 38-20 loss at the Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday, Giants legend and current radio color commentator Carl Banks offered some harsh criticisms of Big Blue star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Lawrence fired back at Banks. 

Dexter Lawrence rips "delusional" Carl Banks

"He’s delusional," Lawrence said about Banks, per Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. "Yeah, those were strong words, but if that’s how he feels, f--- it. 

“I don’t really know what he’s watching, but he can say what he wants,” Lawrence said. “I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing, trying to help us get a win. That’s it.”

Specifically, Banks claimed that the game film shows that "nobody respects" Lawrence anymore. Banks also ripped Lawrence for "not making a difference" as the Eagles accumulated a whopping 276 rushing yards at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field.

Earlier this summer, one unnamed NFL personnel director said that Lawrence should have won Defensive Player of the Year Award honors for the 2024 campaign even though the 27-year-old only played in 12 games before he went down with a season-ending elbow injury. Lawrence currently isn't even the best defensive player on the Giants, as pass-rusher Brian Burns is tied for the NFL lead with 10 sacks.

According to Jordan Raanan of ESPN, Lawrence has tallied 20 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, 0.5 sacks, one interception, 10 initial pressures and four quarterback hits this season. 

"I think I’m doing what I can when I get the opportunities," Lawrence explained. "Numbers are not everything. I’ve been an advocate of that last year and the year before that and the year before that. I don’t think numbers indicate anything — for real. They’re just something that’s on your stat sheet. I think the way I play is disruptive. You ask people I play against, and they’ll tell you the same thing. Not people who are talking."

Dexter Lawrence shares wish after Carl Banks comments

Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke suggested that Banks was possibly "trying to light a fire under" Lawrence with comments that generated discussions on New York sports talk radio programs. If that truly was Banks' goal, his plan seems to have produced the desired result.

"Let’s say this: I hope people start trying to disrespect me," Lawrence added. "I hope they start not respecting me, because that’s not what’s showing on the field. They’re showing a lot of respect on the field." 

Lawrence will next have an opportunity to offer an on-the-field response to Banks when the Giants host a 5-3 San Francisco 49ers side that features dynamic running back Christian McCaffrey. As of Thursday morning, ESPN BET had New York as a 2.5-point underdog for this coming Sunday's matchup.