Lawrence on success and new contract, 'Me being satisfied, is me being a bad teammate'
In his fourth season, a breakout season, New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence proved to be an exceptional player. His outstanding performance earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro recognition.
The former Clemson All-American and three-time All-ACC selection was also rewarded handsomely with a new contract. On May 6, after electing to skip offseason voluntary workouts due to contract negotiations, Lawrence signed a four-year, $90 million contract extension with $60 million guaranteed.
Lawrence flashed during his first three seasons, but Giants fans wanted more from the former 17th overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. Now, what's next for him after an All-Pro season and a hefty contract?
"Fix the mistakes that I made last year," he told NFL.com reporter Judy Battista before Tuesday's first training camp practice in pads. "I think that the biggest thing for me is to grow in those areas. Me being satisfied, is me being a bad teammate."
Throughout the season, he achieved personal bests in tackles (68) and solo stops (35). Additionally, he led the team in sacks (7.5), tackles for loss (7, tied with Jihad Ward), and quarterback hits (28). Even with the increase in stats across the board from 54 tackles (27 solo), 2.5 sacks, five tackles for loss, and 11 quarterback hits in 2021, Lawrence, again, was critical of himself and focused on his development.
"I missed a ton of plays. And that’s because of something that I did wrong or something I didn't do," he noted. "So, as I watched film on myself, I know areas where I need to improve and how I can be more productive for my team."
Lawrence, regarded as one of the top players at his position, understands that he must continue to progress, and after signing the third-highest contract among defensive tackles, more pressure is looming.
"I embrace it now. I embraced it all last year. Now, [that] I got paid, my name is out there a little more, so I know the person I need to be is a better leader,” Lawrence said of his new position. “Be an example, come out every day to practice ready to make the guys across the line better, make the guys behind me better, and beside me better. That's the new pressure that I have."
The team finished 9-7-1 and made the playoffs for the first time in six years under first-year head coach Brian Daboll. They secured the sixth seed in the NFC with a 38-10 Week 16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Lawrence had five tackles, one sack, and three quarterback pressures in front of the fans at MetLife Stadium.
Lawrence was held out of the meaningless regular-season finale against Philadelphia but played in the playoffs. In the 31-24 win over Minnesota, he had six tackles and four quarterback hits, and he closed out the season with six tackles in the 38-7 loss to the Eagles.
The Giants made huge strides to becoming relevant again with the playoff appearance and victory, but there's lots of work to be done to make the playoffs and even more noise in 2023-- and it starts with improving a defense that landed 25th overall in yards allowed (359.8).
"Just going out there and just playing confident and have some swagger, have some juice," said Lawrence of what a defense should look like. "Stop the run."
Last season, the defense allowed offenses to rush for over 146 yards per game (28th in the league).
Although Lawrence, a team captain, led the team in sacks and unleashed his 'Sexy Dexy' dance after each one, he said sacks are individual achievements and stopping the run takes a team's effort.
"You see defenses that stop the run that just looks amazing," he added. "When you stop the run as a team, it's like, everybody's swarming to the ball. Everybody's tackling the running back. It's just a different feeling."
The Giants open the preseason on Aug. 11 against Detroit and the regular season on Sept. 10 at home on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys.
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