Giants: NFL executive is 'curious' about Dexter Lawrence's mindset
New York Giants defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence received a massive four-year, $87.5 million contract extension back in May, but he immediately made it clear the money -while great to have- isn't his priority during the subsequent press conference "I'd say the group I'm around, it's not like a big conversation. The people I surround myself […]
New York Giants defensive linemen Dexter Lawrence received a massive four-year, $87.5 million contract extension back in May, but he immediately made it clear the money -while great to have- isn't his priority during the subsequent press conference
"I'd say the group I'm around, it's not like a big conversation. The people I surround myself with, we just talk about being great, and whatever comes with being great comes with being great," Lawrence told reporters the day after he signed the extension. "Obviously, everybody loves to get paid. Everybody loves to have money, but at the end of the day the people I’m around, we talk about how to win and how to be great…
"… I don't think the amount to me was that important – just being respected and understanding who I am as a player and what I'm worth. I didn't have a set number in mind or anything like that. I just knew that I wanted to be respected for my production and my leadership around here and everything else… I'm ready to get out here and play football with my guys."
Lawrence was asked three different times in three different ways about the importance of money and his response was consistent, throughout. Sure, he's not going to publicly say he's checked out and that the money is most important. But at the same time, he didn't have to go as deep as he did in his answers. The guy certainly deserves the benefit of the doubt.
That didn't stop one anonymous AFC executive's curiosity about Lawrence's mindset, however. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently released his list of the top-10 defensive linemen in the NFL and while Lawrence came in at No. 6, not everyone is sold on him.
"Now that he has the contract, I'm curious if he keeps up the same level of play," an AFC executive said. "I thought his intensity would come and go a bit coming out of college."
Sure, there's always a bit of wonder that comes with how players perform after a big payday. But when taking Lawrence's comments into consideration – it's a pretty silly thing to say.
Especially when basing it off Lawrence's college mindset. He was drafted in 2019 and just earned a massive contract because of his hard work and dedication. I think it's safe to say any questions about his intensity should be put to bed, at this point.
Either way, it's just more fuel to Lawrence's fiery desire to be great. Which is a scary thought for opposing offensive linemen.
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Featured image via Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
