Tag: Dexter Lawrence

The New York Giants have restructured the contract of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, freeing up an estimated $7.5 million in salary cap space.

Field Yates was the first to report the news.

Last May, Lawrence signed a four-year, $87.5 million extension with the Giants in which his cap hit for 2024 had him at $22.075 million.

The conversion allows the Giants — who were approximately $2.5 million over the cap — some flexibility to add another mid-level free agent or two and also keep some space available for their incoming draft class.

The New York Giants underwhelmed in 2023 but that was through no fault of nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, who continued to establish himself as the most dominant interior defensive lineman in football.

Lawrence’s play this past season earned him Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro honors, which almost feels like a slight.

In addition to those accolades, Lawrence was also named the Giants Wire MVP in a unanimous vote.

Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports concurred with that vote and recently named Lawrence the Giants’ 2023 team MVP.

The 26-year-old has established himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the league. This is the second year in a row that Lawrence has been named to the Pro Bowl while also getting second-team All-Pro honors. He finished the year with 4.5 sacks, 53 tackles, 21 quarterback hits and two pass breakups. Without a doubt, he was New York’s best player in 2023.

Lawrence played through injury over the last several weeks of the season but it barely slowed him down. He routinely dominated opponents even while being double- and triple-teamed.

Still just 26 years old, Lawrence has yet to reach his ceiling, which should frighten every NFL team.

New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence has been named an Associated Press Second Team All-Pro, the same honor he received in 2022.

Lawrence was beaten out for First Team honors by Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams) and Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs) despite being the second-highest-graded defender in the NFL and the highest-graded interior defender.

Joining Lawrence on the Second Team is Justin Madubuike of the Baltimore Ravens.

In 16 games (all starts) this season, Lawrence recorded 53 tackles (23 solo, seven for a loss), two passes defensed, 21 QB hits and 4.5 sacks. He was routinely double-teamed but still dominated on nearly every snap.

Earlier this month, Lawrence received an endorsement from team captain and middle linebacker, Bobby Okereke, who said the nose tackle was the team’s best defensive player.

In addition to the Associated Press All-Pro honor, Lawrence was also named to the NFLPA All-Pro Team, as voted on by his fellow players, and earned a spot in the 2024 Pro Bowl Games for the second time.

Lawrence was the only Giant to receive an All-Pro nod.

New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence was one of the few bright spots for the boys in blue this year. He’s consistent, he’s a leader and he is always on the field.

The rest of the league took notice, too, and named Lawrence to the 2023 NFLPA All-Pro Team as a First Teamer.

Lawrence has seen a ton of turnover in his time with the Giants, but he’s always been a guy the defense can count on. He steps up when it’s needed, specifically in the wake of Leonard Williams’ departure (trade) this year, always finding a way to get involved.

Even when he suffered an injury this season, Lawrence didn’t want to miss time on the field. His snaps were cut back, but he didn’t miss any games. He recorded 53 tackles (32 solo), 4.5 sacks, and two passes defensed, but his stats are no indication of what his presence on the field does to opposing offenses.

Lawrence’s ability to push through the line forces offenses to mitigate that, which then opens up avenues for the linebackers to get through.

This is a much-deserved honor for Lawrence. He also earned his second Pro Bowl selection this year.

The league is finally noticing what the Giants have known all along: Lawrence is a force to be reckoned with.