Dexter Lawrence Pushes Back on Sack Criticism After Move to Bengals

Cincinnati has added linemen designed to cut down the double teams that analysts say suppressed Lawrence’s counting stats.

Overview

Lawrence had a career-high nine sacks in 2024 but recorded just 0.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits in 2025, ending his three-year Pro Bowl run.
The Bengals traded for Lawrence and reportedly gave up the No. 10 pick in the draft to acquire him, a move that raised public expectations for visible production.
Pro Football Focus measured Lawrence facing double teams on about 70.35 percent of pass snaps in 2025, a workload analysts say can hide an interior tackle’s true impact.
Lawrence told reporters he understands his on-field value even when sacks don’t show it and said he is training to prove critics wrong while working with new teammates.
Cincinnati added Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Cashius Howell to the front, a set of moves that could reduce Lawrence’s double teams and change how he is used and evaluated this season.