The 2023 NFL season was a disappointment for the New York Giants, but one player stood out, and on Wednesday, he received some recognition.
Giants DT Dexter Lawrence was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl; he is the first Giants defensive lineman to receive the honor in consecutive seasons since end Jason Pierre-Paul in 2011-12.
In 15 games this season, the five-year veteran has tallied a team-high 19 quarterback hits. Lawrence has totaled 52 tackles (32 solo), seven tackles for lost yardage, and two passes defensed.
“It’s a special time,” Lawrence said on Thursday. “I’m excited to get this award again. It just shows the hard work and the respect that I’m earning around the league…
“Like I was saying before, it’s more just the respect I’m earning around the league from the coaches to the players. That just goes from my play on the field and what people see on tape.”
The 26-year-old believes he’s gotten better but still has room to improve.
“I think I got better in some areas,” he said. “Still got room to improve, still got to continue learning my position and crafting it up. There are things that now I get all this attention; it’s different things that I’ve got to learn how to play through and different schemes I’ve got to learn how to play through, stuff like that. All I can do is just keep going out there and giving everything I’ve got every time I step on the field, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
In the offseason, Lawrence signed a four-year, $90 million extension, but despite the money, he stayed hungry, which impressed Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
‘I think Dex has stayed Dex since I’ve been here,” Martindale said. “He was a really good player before we got here, and then he had a great year last year. He hasn’t changed his work ethic; he hasn’t changed anything about him. I think sometimes he might put too much pressure on himself, but that’s what all the great ones do. Like I said, I’m really happy for Dex.”
Lawrence believed it was important to continue to work hard and continue to be himself
“I’ve just got to continue to be myself,” he said. “Whatever happens with me doing that is the end result, and I’m happy with that. I know how hard I work. I’m confident in my work. I know who I am as a player, so I’m confident in that. All that goes a long way.”
“The Pro Bowl Games” will feature AFC and NFC players showcasing their football and non-football skills over several days in Orlando, Fla.
The flag football game will be played there in Camping World Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 4, one week before Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas – the site of last year’s Pro Bowl Games.
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