This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals knew they needed to make major changes along their defensive line. It was so important to them that they would send a first-round pick to the New York Giants for Dexter Lawrence.
A first-round pick in 2019, Lawrence had spent his entire NFL career with the New York Giants. During that time, he went to the Pro Bowl three times. He’s also only missed significant time with injuries in one year, 2024. He’ll be under contract with the Bengals through 2028.
Lawrence would quickly make his way to Cincinnati and hope to make a large impression on Bengals fans. So far, with Training Camp underway, he’s also making a massive impression on quarterback Joe Burrow.
Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow on Dexter Lawrence in Practice
GettyNew Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, right, attempts to bring down quarterback Joe Burrow.
If there is one thing that the Bengals have typically been able to lean on, it’s a strong passing game led by quarterback Joe Burrow. However, as Burrow recently explained, Dexter Lawrence has been making that very difficult in Training Camp.
“I was talking the other day,” Burrow said on CBS Sports Network. “I threw an interception on one of the first days, and I was saying Dex is just so big. He makes throwing over the middle a little more difficult, just because of how big and imposing he is. You have to slide right, slide left, just to be able to see around him, and that’s going to cause some mistakes.”
This isn’t the first time that Lawrence has made things difficult on Burrow. In October of 2024, Lawrence sacked Burrow in a game. The Bengals would win that day, but only scored 17 points and Burrow wasn’t able to throw for a touchdown.
Now on the same team, the hope is that an old adage will prove true. Iron sharpens iron.
Other Bengals Agree, Lawrence is a Menace to Deal With
GettyFormer New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence
Joe Burrow is far from the only Cincinnati Bengal to notice what type of impact Dexter Lawrence is having. All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had a similar observation.
“Honestly, he’s been terrorizing practice,” Chase said. “I can honestly say that.”
At the very least, Chase doesn’t directly deal with Lawrence. Burrow won’t be hit by Lawrence in practice. One player who has to get physical with Lawrence is guard Dalton Risner.
“There’s certain guys in this league like Dexter who wreck a whole game plan, and you have to do everything around them and you change everything you’re doing,” Risner said. “You’re going to have to change how you block against certain guys. He’s just making us do it really early and really often.”
For other defensive linemen, Lawrence is opening up opportunities as he demands more attention. He also can act as a mentor for those younger players the Bengals want to get up to speed. Even defensive backs, like Dax Hill, are feeling the impact.
“Setting the tone for the season, I think right now is a cornerstone for the season,” Hill said. “Establishing each position group. I feel like you have to figure out what you want to live by, stand by every day, and not differentiate from that. So I think it’s just having one common goal starting in your position group, and then coming together as one unit, and living by that. So I feel like we’ve been doing a great job of that. Obviously, we still have new guys. I just feel like we all have to keep establishing it. But I feel like we’re on a good track.”
Now, the Bengals are going to need to find a way to get what Lawrence has been able to do to transition onto the field in 2026. Do that, and winning the AFC North should very much be in reach.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow Explains Challenge Practicing vs. Dexter Lawrence