One day following their 27-10 victory over the Eagles, the NY Giants wasted no time in changing up their coaching staff. Offensive line coach Bobby Johnson and special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey were let go as the first moves of "NFL Black Monday" settled in East Rutherford.
One major development all season was the reported 'tension' between head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. Jay Glazer first reported this before the Giants took on the Patriots in Week 11 and it seems that he was correct. Martindale resigned as defensive coordinator Monday afternoon after two seasons with the Giants. A stunning move, but one that also felt like it was coming.
As the Giants shift their focus to the offseason, they'll be in the market for a new playcaller on defense. Antonio Pierce, who helped propel the Giants to their Super Bowl 42 victory, has won over the players and fans in Las Vegas since taking over as interim head coach. The Raiders are hoping to find a permanent solution at head coach, including keeping Pierce. However, if they decide not to, could the former Giant make his way back to town to be Daboll's new DC?
Giants should be all-in on Antonio Pierce for DC if he doesn't get Raiders HC job
Since being named head coach of the Raiders after the firing of Josh McDaniels, Pierce led the Raiders to a 5-4 record after a 3-5 start. It hasn't been perfect by any means, but the culture and energy around the Raiders environment completely changed once Pierce stepped in.
Before being promoted to interim head coach, Pierce was the linebackers coach under former Giants DC and current Raiders DC Patrick Graham. Before coaching in the NFL, Pierce was with the Arizona Sun Devils for five seasons, starting as their linebackers coach before working his way up to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
Pierce played five seasons for the Giants at middle linebacker from 2005-2009. In the Giants' 2007 Super Bowl season, he had 102 total tackles to his name. Most fans certainly aren't a fan of the team losing Martindale as defensive coordinator. He was well liked by his players and had a solid unit for the most part. With that said, if the Raiders don't make Pierce happy, the Giants should rush to do so.
This video of Antonio Pierce leaving the field with the fans will give you goosebumps. #Raiders pic.twitter.com/IlydivFON2
— Logan Reever (@loganreever) January 8, 2024
Raiders fans chanting "AP" as he ran off the field for their final game shows how much of an impact Pierce has had in a short time. His knowledge and experience of winning in New York would be an ideal fit for a Giants team entering a crucial third year in the Joe Schoen/Daboll regime.
Pierce knows what a Super Bowl winning defense looks like. He can add his identity to a surging defensive core with lots of potential. It would be a perfect match for Pierce and the Giants to reunite.