After a tumultuous two seasons as defensive coordinator, Wink Martindale and the New York Giants parted ways. The situation grew sour to the point where Martindale was bypassing Coach Brian Daboll and reporting only to upper management.
Despite a playoff appearance in year one, all three units sputtered to begin the season, which resulted in a playoff-less season. The defense did improve its play as the season went along, however, it was too steep of a mountain to climb. With questions surrounding how Daboll interacts and handles his coaches, he must hire the proper defensive coordinator in what appears to be a make-or-break year for the entire organization.
The NFL is a year-to-year league, so coaching staffs look differently throughout. A few names stand out that may be able to elevate this defensive unit into one of the league’s best.
Three Candidates for the Next Giants Defensive Coordinator
Dennard Wilson – Defensive Backs Coach/Baltimore Ravens
Dennard Wilson is in his first year as defensive backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens. He most recently spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles as their defensive passing game coordinator.
In 2022, the Eagles pass defense ranked first in the NFL allowing 179.8 yards per game. This year, the Ravens are allowing 191 passing yards per game which ranks fifth in the entire league. The Giants were ranked in the bottom half, allowing 229.3 yards per game. The only obstacle to obtaining Wilson is that he could be hired in-house. The Ravens current defensive coordinator, Mike MacDonald, is a hot name in the coaching carousel, leaving a potential opening. The Ravens are a well-oiled machine, bringing in Wilson would be a home-run hire.
Bobby Babich – Linebackers Coach/Buffalo Bills
Prior relationships in coaching circles go a long way. Bobby Babich has been with the Bills organization since 2017, having served as a defensive backs coach. For the last two years, Babich has coached up the linebackers. Babich coached fifth-rounder Matt Milano to his first First-Team All-Pro selection in 2022.
With head coach Sean McDermott currently calling the defense, Babich could take a promotion as the defensive coordinator for Giants and reunite with Brian Daboll. The Giants made a splash last offseason signing linebacker Bobby Okereke to occupy the middle of the defense. Improved play from third-year linebacker, Micah McFadden, can elevate the unit even further.
Jerome Henderson – Defensive Backs Coach/New York Giants
An in-house candidate currently on staff is defensive backs coach, Jerome Henderson. Henderson was hired from the previous regime but has earned the opportunity to stay despite a new head coach coming in.
A benefit to hiring an in-house candidate is that the defense wouldn’t go through a drastic makeover. The unit saw significant contributions from free agent acquisitions, Jason Pinnock and rookie Deonte Banks. Safety Xavier McKinney had another strong season and played 100% of the snaps on defense. McKinney and Okereke were two out of three players to not miss a defensive snap. McKinney is currently a free agent, would promoting Henderson to defensive coordinator tempt him to come back?
Does it even matter? There are more candidates that have already interviewed, but these three seem like the correct fit for this team moving forward.
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