Jason Kelce praised Dexter Lawrence's impact on the Bengals' defense after his trade from the Giants. Kelce described Lawrence as a formidable player who can significantly enhance Cincinnati's defensive capabilities.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother and fellow former Cincinnati Bearcat, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason, assessed the Cincinnati Bengals' pre-draft acquisition of defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the New York Giants during their "New Heights" podcast.
"Don't love that," Travis acknowledged, of an AFC rival of the Chiefs landing Lawrence.
"For me, I feel very lucky that I got to play him young in his career before he had figured out all my tricks that I tried to use against him," Jason said. "Because that was the only way I was surviving. Watching the tape from a few years when Wink (Martindale) was the (Giants' defensive) coordinator. He was virtually like unblockable. You would watch the tape and it's like, 'Goddamn, guys.' Like destroying centers, and he is a massive human being."
Lawrence was acquired in a trade with the Giants for the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Bengals acquired Dexter Lawrence in a trade with the New York Giants for the No. 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jason Kelce described Dexter Lawrence as 'virtually unblockable' and noted his impressive agility for a player of his size, referring to him as a 'dancing bear.'
Dexter Lawrence is expected to strengthen the Bengals' defense, which has been a weakness, and enhance their overall performance in the upcoming season.
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"And (he) can move," Jason continued. "He's a dancing bear. You see it when he's doing his 'Sexy Dexy.' Which you do not want to see. This is a big add for the Bengals. I hope they utilize him in a way that really accentuates when he's had the most success in his career. … Hopefully adds a lot to a defense that has really been a weakness there in Cincinnati. Look forward to seeing what that looks like this season."
Lawrence's one-year, $28-million extension with the Bengals freed up nearly $5M of 2026 cap space, according to Spotrac.
The Bengals announced earlier in the week that Lawrence will be wearing the No. 97 jersey Shemar Stewart wore as a rookie last season.
Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce said he did not enjoy going up against Dexter Lawrence II when Lawrence played for the New York Giants.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jason Kelce says Dexter Lawrence changes Bengals' defense