With so much talent across the New York Giants' roster, especially on the defensive side, it's becoming harder to show empathy for the struggling unit. This was supposed to be the year the defense took a step forward — Year 2 under defensive coordinator Shane Bowen — but very early results aren't exactly promising.
The pass defense hasn't really been the problem, although there are some culprits... looking at you, Deonte Banks. It's really been the run defense that just can't seem to figure it out. In their 21-6 Week 1 loss to the Washington Commanders, the unit was bullied to the tune of 220 rushing yards. Part of that has to do with the Micah McFadden loss, but there might be a more problematic reason, and it starts at the top.
Is Bowen the right man for the job? It's a fair question. This defense has the potential to be a difference-maker, yet still looks just as lost as it did last year. Not to be outdone, it looks like Bowen has wasted no time overcomplicating how to use his shiny new third-overall pick, Abdul Carter, taking him out of the pass-rushing scheme and moving him to weakside linebacker for Week 2. Make it make sense.
Shane Bowen all but confirms Giants have no idea what they're doing with Abdul Carter
It wasn't all that long ago that the DC was brought in to... stop the run. Safe to say that hasn't happened, and it's these out-of-nowhere, what-are-we-doing-here decisions (like overcomplicating how to use a potentially generational pass rusher) that are holding this team back.
When speaking with the media, Bowen talked about McFadden's injury and how the team will prepare to move forward with his absence:
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen says they "got to consider" using Abdul Carter some at weakside linebacker with Micah McFadden out. Darius Muasau will primarily fill the void.
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 11, 2025
Carter played close to 50% of defensive snaps in opener. Bowen said his playing time "will evolve as… pic.twitter.com/FQ2hMRhyob
Listen, Carter is an otherworldly prospect. And his skillset knows no limits. Can he play weakside linebacker? Sure. Could he even play some safety? It's likely. However, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is best getting after the passer... so why hold him back?
The run defense could absolutely use some work, so maybe figure that out with the players tasked to do exactly that? Bobby Okereke and Darius Muasau are there. Call on Dexter Lawrence, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, and the rest of the defensive front. Just please, please, please don't sabotage his development by putting him in places he doesn't need to be in. His job should be setting the franchise's rookie sack record and applying pressure off the edge. Stop this weakside LB nonsense.
Right now, his best asset — pressure off the edge — is being diluted by trying to fit him into shapes that don't fit. Big Blue brought him in to get after the QB. Let him do exactly that. Moving him into lighter roles or coverage spots makes sense in theory; in practice, it wastes what might be this defense’s clearest hope.
Dak Prescott is 13-2 against the G-Men. They have lost eight in a row to Dallas. It needs to stop. So, let's put the best players in the best position to win, because if they don't, the season is all but over.