Ted Karras Continues Stamping Major Praise on Dexter Lawrence With Top Talent Ranking

Don't tell Ted Karras Dexter Lawrence isn't the best defensive tackle in football.

The 11-year veteran is battling daily with the Bengals' biggest 2026 star addition in the middle of the trenches. Lawrence has transformed the defense into what running back Chase Brown deemed a top-10 unit in the league over the past few months.

Best On Earth

Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (97) and Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Jr. (90) block each other during the Cincinnati Bengals Training Camp 2026 at Kettering Practice Field in Cincinnati on Thursday, July 30, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Karras described the battle to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com.

"Yes. I'm playing Dexter Lawrence, the best defensive lineman in football," Karras said to Hobson. "I get him every day. I wouldn't call it fun, but it's a good test of mettle. I'm getting a lot better, and I think we are as a unit."

It echoes his comments to start the month in front of his locker.

Karras is getting sharper and sharper going up against truly elite talent in practice for the first time as a Bengal.

"He's the best in the league, so I mean our Week 1 opponent's right there with him (Vita Vea), so that's good practice for him," Karras stated to begin the month. "You've got to be ready to go every day. It's a little bit stressful in August for me, but at least I get to pass it off to our opponent's center come September."

Head coach Zac Taylor has loved Lawrence's "relentlessness" so far.

“A relentlessness to him,” Taylor said during a recent press conference. “Ted (Karras) has his hands full, and it’s making Ted better. Whatever year Ted’s in (11). I think it’s certainly a grind for both those guys. They’re two smart guys that are doing everything they can to win the rep and help their unit, but he’s tough.

“We ran a counter play that was really good the other day, and he just reached around and grabbed Chase Brown. And there’s nothing I would have told (right guard) Dalton (Risner) to do differently. Dalton did a great job 99% of the time against 99 of 100 tackles. That’s going to be a great block. And Dexter just made that play. That’s a rare play for a guy to make.”

The Bengals offense fought back with some big plays in a nice see-saw over the weekend. Sunday was reportedly the most physical day of camp so far, and Cincinnati got that great work in without suffering injuries anymore.

Lawrence's impact could only grow if his injured defensive line running mates come back soon and ready to roll. It looks likely as B.J. Hill could get lifted off the PUP list any day now, while Shemar Stewart is off crutches in his recovery from a knee hyperextension.

Check out the full piece from Hobson here.

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