Dexter Lawrence looking to keep same offseason approach before reporting to Bengals' training camp

CINCINNATI (AP) — Things calmed down a little bit for Dexter Lawrence during the final three weeks of the Cincinnati Bengals offseason program.That might be the only time until January though that the defensive tackle is feeling a sense of calm.Even though the Bengals canceled the final two days of minicamp practices, Lawrence will use the next five weeks before the start of training camp to gear up for this first season in orange and black.

The Bengals acquired the three-time Pro Bowl selection from the New York Giants on April 19 for the 10th overall pick in the draft.“I'm going to be like a boxer before they're going into a fight. You've got to put your head down and train,” Lawrence said on Wednesday at the end of offseason workouts.

It's the same approach Lawrence has used since he was the 17th overall pick by the Giants in the 2019 draft.Lawrence arrived just at the start of the offseason program and used the past two months to get to know his new teammates while also imparting some of the wisdom he has learned over the past seven seasons.“It’s part of my role to allow people to understand my knowledge of the game and to grow in that sense.

I’m just excited to keep growing with them and learning,” he said.Coach Zac Taylor said the important thing is that Lawrence has led by example instead of words, and that he has been front and center with the defense since arriving. “I don’t know if he’s left since the day he showed up in the trade.

It’s good to have veteran leadership like that that’s been in the building,” Taylor said. “I just think that the leadership on that side of the ball has really expanded amongst the amount of players that we have.”Cincinnati has one of the league’s top offenses with quarterback Joe Burrow and All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, but its defense has been among the worst the past two seasons and needs to take a step forward if it wants to get to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

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