After a miserable Week 1 outing followed by a coaching collapse of epic proportions in Week 2, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll entered Week 3 on the proverbial hot seat. And after a miserable 22-9 defeat at home on Sunday Night Football, it’s officially time to start keeping tabs on a Dabs successor.
The G-Men entered the primetime clash looking to steal a victory over a relatively banged-up Chiefs offense. After all, Kansas City was without receivers Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, and Mahomes himself likely wasn’t 100 percent with a right wrist issue. They failed to do much of anything — a massive indictment of the coaching staff.
While losing to the two-time MVP and Co. wasn’t exactly shocking, the Giants had as good a chance as any to come away with a much-needed win. Instead, they now sit at 0-3, firmly putting Daboll on the hot seat, with one perfect replacement currently residing in Los Angeles.
Jesse Minter emerging as strong candidate if Giants fire Brian Daboll
NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth said the quiet part out loud about Daboll's job security: "You draft him [Jaxson Dart] for the coach that's going to take your place." And that just might be Charger's defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter.
Funny enough, Giants fans will get a good look at Minter in their Week 4 matchup against the undefeated Bolts (3-0) on Sunday afternoon.
When it comes to coaching candidates, the 42-year-old is likely at the top of the list. The defensive play-caller has spent years under some of the league’s most successful coaches, working under John Harbaugh and the Ravens from 2017 to 2020, then with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan starting in 2022, and following him back to the NFL in 2024.
The soon-to-be head coach somewhere is known for his defensive acumen. The Chargers allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards last year and the fewest rushing touchdowns. That defensive surge was a massive reason why they went from 5-12 in 2023 to 11-6 in 2024. Not to mention, they're currently a top-10 defense this year in both yards and points.
What better way to invest in this up-and-coming Giants defense than by committing to a coach like Minter? Providing Dart with the necessary support is imperative, and he could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
Other head coaching candidates include Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley and Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Big Blue is 0-3 this year, their worst start since 2021. Since Daboll’s surprising 9-7-1 playoff run in 2022, it’s been all downhill ever since. He’s now 9-28 in the two-plus seasons since, including losing 14 of his last 15 contests. To say it’s going poorly would be an understatement.
The 50-year-old coach needs a win like a fish needs water. Giants owner John Mara likely won’t pull the plug this early, but don’t think for a second that the thoughts aren’t already there. He was already out of patience in January. This was once a proud organization. It’s suddenly the laughingstock of the NFL. If things don’t turn around quickly, Daboll could be on his way out, with Minter next in line.