Which Giants Coaches Face Most Pressure in Remaining Games?

Which Giants coaches have increasing heat under their seats? Coach Gene Clemons has the list.

Author:
Gene Clemons
Publish date:
Dec 10, 2023 8:00 AM EST

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The 2023 NFL season has not been what the New York Giants coaching staff was expecting coming off a season where they reached the second round of the playoffs. They were probably not expecting to deal with unprecedented injuries to players on their offense.

Even with the injuries, many believe that this staff has left some meat on the bone, and unfortunately, it may result in some changes this offseason. The question then becomes which coach is feeling the most heat coming off the Giants bye week?

Here is a look at five coaches who should feel some warmth underneath their seats.

5. Brian Daboll, Head Coach

Last season, Daboll was named the NFL Coach of the Year, and many believed that he had this team poised for greatness for this year and beyond.

What a difference a year has made. While Daboll has done his best to handle a season filled with all sorts of adversity, there have been some reports that the Giants' disappointing season has resulted in friction with defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, as well as some of the other assistant coaches due to Daboll's intensity.

That said, it would be surprising if Daboll is NOT back next year. But these last five games will continue to fill in the picture of how Daboll continues handling adversity.

4. Wink Martindale, Defensive Coordinator

There is no reason for Martindale to be on the hot seat, but there seems to be a flame under his seat because of the FOX Sports report by Jay Glazer that Martindale and Daboll are in a "bad place."

The Giants have denied any rift exists, but it's hard to dismiss the report by Glazer, someone who has built his name and reputation on breaking news just like this.

Although the Giants defense has played well over the past two seasons, there are still questions about the defense, namely its inability to get consistent pressure on the quarterback and some personnel deployment issues, such as having their premiere pass rusher, Kayvon Thibodeaux, in coverage far too often on passing downs.

3. Thomas McGaughey, Special Teams Coordinator

Outside of the punting, everything else on the special teams unit has been very inconsistent. The most noticeable has been the struggles fielding punts. The Giants have used four different punt returners this season, and none have been spectacular.

The kickoff return unit has also lacked explosiveness. Kicker Graham Gano was playing through injury, and the scoring suffered. The coverage units have also had shaky moments in the past couple of seasons as well.

McGaughey does not block, tackle, kick, or catch, but that ultimately does not matter. The breakdowns that have included a lack of lane integrity and, at times, not having the right number of men on the field shouldn't be happening. That the Giants special teams haven't benefitted the team could mean that McGaughey's time in New York will be reaching an end.

2. Mike Kafka, Offensive Coordinator

The offense has regressed this season. Yes, there have been injuries, but the offense has been disjointed.

The issues date back to last season. Getting all of the offensive elements involved has been a struggle, and putting the ball in the end zone has also been problematic.

New additions like rookie speedster Jalin Hyatt and matchup nightmare Darren Waller were not involved early in the season. Running back Saquon Barkley was also not receiving the level of touches that he should have commanded with his talent level.

There have been various reports this season that Daboll has been much more hands-on in the playcalling, which he and Kafka have denied. But with the offense languishing at or near the bottom of the league in almost every major statistical category, it would not be surprising if Kafka is not on this staff next year.

1. Bobby Johnson, Offensive Line

The offensive line has struggled mightily over the past two seasons to find continuity, some of that due to injury. However, the biggest issue with the job Johnson has done has been in developing youngsters like Marcus McKethan, Joshua Ezeudu, and first-round draft pick Evan Neal.

Neal's lack of development, in particular, has been alarming. There have been discussions about changes in technique the Giants have requested of him, changes that the younger has struggled to gain a comfort level within his adjustment to NFL-caliber pass rushing.

The line has allowed 69 sacks over their 12 games this season. The closest team to that is the Washington Commanders, who have surrendered 58 sacks in 13 games.

The Giants offensive line's inconsistency in blocking has been directly responsible for the quarterback carousel the Giants have had after injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor forced New York to go to third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito.