What a rollercoaster of a season it's been for the New York Giants, and it’s only been three weeks.
From the Giants’ tone-setting Week 1 win over the Dallas Cowboys to the Week 2 road loss to the LA Rams and now a Week 3 win over the Tennessee Titans, it hasn’t exactly been an easy start, but we’re still chugging along.
And while no one would blame you for feeling a little beaten down already, you can’t really mope around heading into Week 4. Somehow, some way, the G-Men are 2-1 and tied with the Philadelphia Eagles atop the NFC East.
The Giants’ most significant losses thus far haven't even come with the final score, but on the field, as the team lost arguably their two most important players, starting quarterback Jaxson Dart and star pass rusher Brian Burns, to season-ending injuries. The G-Men addressed Dart’s injury by trading for JJ McCarthy, but they have yet to replace Burns. And I think I know just the person who could fill the void: Jihad Ward.
A Jihad Ward reunion makes sense for the Giants with Brian Burns injured
Ward almost makes too much sense. He played for Big Blue from 2022 to 2023 and is currently on the Minnesota Vikings' practice squad, so they wouldn’t have to trade anything for him; they can sign him directly to their active roster.
In 2022, Ward signed a one-year deal with the Giants and played all 17 games, logging 11 starts and recording 43 tackles, three sacks, seven tackles for loss, four passes defended, and two forced fumbles, helping Big Blue make the playoffs.
The 32-year-old re-signed with the G-Men for the 2023 season on a one-year deal and played all 17 games again, logging nine starts and recording 24 tackles, five sacks (career high), five tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.
While Ward’s time in New York was impressive, his connections to the Giants’ coaching staff make this reunion even more sense, having played under HC John Harbaugh as a member of the Ravens from 2019 to 2020 and under DC Dennard Wilson with the Titans last season.
Last year under Wilson, Ward totaled 31 tackles and matched his career high with five sacks, four tackles for a loss, and four passes defended. Joining Big Blue this season would not be much of an adjustment, as he understands how a Wilson-led defense operates.
Ward’s familiarity with playing in New York, along with his relationships with Harbaugh and Wilson, makes him a suitable replacement for Burns and gives him a real opportunity to contribute immediately in a front seven that includes Abdul Carter, Tremaine Edmunds, Arvell Reese, and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
If the Giants want to salvage the season, Joe Schoen should pick up the phone and call Ward before another team scoops him up.
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