You can only dream when you are a rookie sharing a training camp room with a fellow rookie named Daniel Jones about one day signing a 4-year, $90M extension and $60M guaranteed with the team that drafted you.
“I was naive to a sense; I’m a moment-by-moment guy, like, ‘OK, I did this,’” Dexter Lawrence was saying at Giants rookie minicamp. “My ultimate goal is to be legendary. . .to be a Hall of Famer, so. . .
“I got drafted. That’s one step. ‘Ok, let’s have a good rookie year. OK, let’s not make the same mistakes the next year. Let’s keep building until you get to where you’re at. And I’m not where I want to be. I think it’s just a constant growth as a person, honestly, and then as a player.”
I asked Lawrence where he wants to be.
“I want to be a Hall of Famer.
“I’m gonna be.”
Somewhere out there, former Giants GM Dave Gettleman is smiling.
Four years ago, he traded Odell Beckham Jr. for Jabril Peppers and draft picks who turned out to be Dexter Lawrence and Oshane Ximines.
Lawrence was his Hog Molly, the 17th overall pick of that 2019 NFL draft and considered a run-stuffer but not a pass rusher.
Now he is Sexy Dexy, a popular Giants Captain and face of Wink Martindale’s defense. Now he is Dollar Dexy.
“I don’t feel pressure like that,” he said. “I know who I am as a player, and I know what I can do, and I know if I’m on top of what I gotta do, then everything takes care of itself. I don’t see it as pressure. I embrace having to step up and prove – – that’s what I take it as – – proving my worth; continue to do that.”
Lawrence was consumed by one thought, and only one thought, during the negotiations:
“I want to be a Giant.”
This is why:
“We have something going here. We’re building something special. You can see it from the outside, and inside, it’s even more beautiful.”
What’s beautiful about Sexy Dexy is that the Giants can feel comfortable that money will not change him.
“I’ve just never been that person,” Lawrence said. “Very humble, kind guy, joyful. Money, that’s just what I have now. It’s not who I am as a person, it doesn’t characterize me. What I want to be known as is a guy that genuinely cares about people and a guy that has earned a lot of respect in a good way.”
The negotiations were stressful at times for Lawrence but amicable.
“I don’t think the amount to me was that important,” Lawrence said. “Just being respected and understanding who I am as a player and what I’m worth. I didn’t have like 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 prayed about it a lot. And right now, I got an opportunity to change my kids’ kids’ life (laugh), and I’m happy about that.”
Sexy Dexy doesn’t compare himself with the other big-ticket defensive linemen. He and Commanders DT Daron Payne are tied for third at the position with their $22.5M AAV, behind Aaron Donald ($31.6M and Jeffery Simmons (4-$94M, $66M guaranteed). His standard is his standard.
“I missed a lot of plays last year that I know that I can get, and it eats at me a lot,” Lawrence said.
He made plenty of them. Lawrence (7.5 sacks, 28 QB hits, 68 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 Pro Bowl) enjoyed his breakthrough season playing mostly over the center. “I would say I’m a disruptor,” he said and smiled.
His teammates were thrilled for Dollar Dexy.
“My phone was going crazy,” he said. “I was playing NBA2k (laugh). That was kind of my celebration. I got back to as many people as I could.”
Saquon Barkley, is the next domino to fall. Negotiations remain ongoing in an attempt to reach an extension with Barkley balking at signing the franchise tag. “I think Saquon’s gonna get what he deserves,” Dollar Dexy said.
Dexter Lawrence got what he deserved.
Two months after his rookie training camp roommate signed his 4-year, $160M deal.
“It doesn’t happen a lot,” Lawrence said. “The NFL career is short for a lot of people. We got a chance to keep playing for a team you got drafted by and continue to play for this organization and the fans.” Dollar Dexy, worth every penny.