Insider reports Giants will keep DC despite new Patriots connection

New York Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. George Walker IV/Tennessean.com/USA TODAY NETWORK

Insider reports Giants will keep DC Shane Bowen despite new Patriots connection

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Jan 12, 2025 11:58 AM ET

The New York Football Giants were stacked on the defensive side of the ball in 2024 but their final record (3-14) doesn't reflect that at all.

The unit featuring pass-rushers like Dexter Lawrence II, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux ranked eighth-best in the league against the pass. However, the team was 24th overall and 27th against the rush.

If anything, it demonstrates there is promise for New York but also some clear glaring holes left by pieces like safety Xavier McKinney, who departed for Green Bay in free agency, that need to be filled expeditiously.

Credit (and criticism) can be laid at the feet of first-year defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who despite the poor year overall, will reportedly be retained by head coach Brian Daboll for 2025.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo clarified comments he made Sunday morning in a post on X, reporting his "understanding" is Bowen will not be leaving New York.

To be clearer on #Giants DC Shane Bowen: My understanding is Brian Daboll is moving forward with him as his coordinator. My best read on it as of now is he remains in that role in East Rutherford in 2025 https://t.co/BZAhWwfIpN
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 12, 2025

Garafolo included Bowen as a potential candidate to join newly appointed New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel's staff.

"I mentioned the other day I didn't expect the Giants to make a change at defensive coordinator, but Bowen was with Vrabel in Tennessee, so if they want to pry him away perhaps the Giants will allow Bowen to walk and head up to Foxborough, we'll see about all of that," Garafolo said on air before clarifying online.

Bowen spent three seasons in Nashville as Vrabel's defensive coordinator, so the connection is certainly there. But he is also New York's third defensive coordinator in four years, a concerning trend for anyone looking for job security in the NFL.

Vrabel will certainly take his time assembling his staff but Giants fans shouldn't be surprised if Bowen does receive a phone call from a Boston area code in the coming weeks.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

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