Zac Taylor’s first impression of Dexter Lawrence says everything about why the Bengals’ aggressive trade can work wonders for them
Dexter Lawrence hasn’t missed a beat with the Cincinnati Bengals since being traded from the New York Giants, and head coach Zac Taylor has taken notice.
The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t have to wait long to see Dexter Lawrence in action.
Lawrence was traded to Cincinnati and officially signed a one-year contract extension with the club on Sunday, April 19. He was then a participant of offseason workouts with his new teammates a day later.
Wasting no time at all in getting to work is the best first impression Lawrence could’ve made, and it has his new coach excited.
Dexter Lawrence shocks Zac Taylor
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor could only take attendance during the late days of April. Real practices were still weeks away as recovery, and strength and conditioning dominated the early days of the offseason program.
Lawrence simply showing up 24 hours after joining his new team, not missing a beat in the process, left an impact on Taylor.
“I was shocked that he was here every day right after we traded for him,” Taylor said last week. “He just chose to jump right in and not miss a day. I think that just shows — I hate to speak for him — the excitement that he has to be here.”
Excitement is great. Lawrence wanted out of New York and found a possible contender with former teammates B.J. Hill and Tee Higgins already on the roster. It can also wear off in the doldrums of the offseason, or during a midseason slump.
That Lawrence was already going hard several months before the regular season is a very good sign for the Bengals.
Dexter Lawrence Stats & Facts
Cincinnati has had its new elite defensive tackle for almost exactly a month now.
- The New York Giants drafted Lawrence with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
- In 109 games for the Giants, Lawrence registered 185 solo tackles, 103 quarterback hits, 40 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks, 15 passes defensed, and five forced fumbles.
- Lawrence made three Pro Bowls from 2022-2024.
A locked-in Dexter Lawrence is so crucial
Lawrence has been an elite player at his best. Lack of ability has never been what has kept his production down.
Staying motivated has usually been the culprit.
New York no longer has one of the best interior linemen in the game because he wanted a change. Lawrence needed a fresh start to reinvigorate himself during his prime.
He’s giving the Bengals more than a fair shot to be that fresh start.
Training with his new team now, getting fully acclimated with his new surroundings, and preparing himself to hit the ground running when the pads and helmets come on is the best way Lawrence can position himself for success in Cincy.
The Bengals took on risk trading their first-round pick for Lawrence. He’s making Taylor and everyone else in the building feel more than fine with the risk.