After surrendering another fourth‑quarter lead on Sunday, the New York Giants parted ways with much-maligned defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
The excuses had all but run out, and the consistent inconsistencies, poor game management, and lack of situational awareness were finally too much for interim head coach Mike Kafka to take. It only took two weeks. But after all, this is his audition for a more long-term coaching gig.
Bowen’s release, while inevitable, wasn’t only because he wasn’t the right man for the job. He wasn’t. But there’s a lot more to the blame game than Giants fans would like to admit. The discarded DC might have some say about that. He’s likely to believe factors were working against him. Here are five that might just have Shane Bowen seething from home.
5 Giants-related reasons Shane Bowen might blame for his firing
All of the linebackers
No, it's not Bowen's fault that the entire linebacking unit got hurt this season. It's also not his responsibility to ensure the team has adequate depth in the case of injuries arising. Even still, it is his job to make sure the players he has on the roster are ready to play when their numbers are called. And that didn't happen.
Bobby Okereke, Micah McFadden, Darius Musasau, Swayze Bozeman, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, and Zaire Barnes just weren't up to the task this year. McFadden has been out since Week 1, so he'll get a bit of a pass, but the rest of the group... sheesh. Not one of these players stepped up for their 38-year-old coordinator.
They consistently missed tackles, played the wrong gaps, and lacked situational awareness. They did absolutely nothing to help Bowen out.
Abdul Carter
Abdul Carter was selected third overall in the 2025 Draft to become Big Blue's next pass-rushing terror. While he's done a solid job of putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks, his inexplicable sack total (0.5) is sure to turn Bowen's hair gray.
His lack of production raises an interesting question: What came first, the chicken or the egg? Did Bowen harm Carter's development? Or is Carter just not as good as advertised? You can bet the unemployed DC certainly thinks it's the latter, especially with Brian Burns thriving in his second year in his system.
For what it's worth, the 21-year-old was billed as the next potential game-changing prospect. He's been anything but, and that has to infuriate. Plus, rumors came out that he shows up late to meetings or sleeps through them. Not exactly ideal.
Deonte Banks
For all the talk about poor fundamentals. One thing you can't teach is effort. And cornerback Deonte Banks just might give the least amount of effort the league has ever seen. It's a shame the 2023 first-round pick can't be bothered.
According to Pro Football Focus, the 24-year-old is graded as the second-worst corner in the league among eligible players, with an abysmal 44.8 overall grade. It'd be one thing to have elite talent and not put forth the effort, but not trying and being objectively terrible is a brutal cocktail for Bowen to swallow, and he has to be infuriated with this once-promising defensive back.
Kayvon Thibodeaux
Kayvon Thibodeaux pretty much has the complete opposite problem of Banks. He's got the motor and drive to be one of the league's better pass-rushers... but he just can't seem to put it together. For some reason, the soon-to-be 25-year-old just can't finish his plays.
After a breakout 11.5-sack sophomore season, Thibs has regressed greatly. He's amassed eight sacks in his last 22 games, calling into question whether he's still viewed as an integral piece moving forward. The Oregon product is a top-five pick -- the team needs more from players of his caliber. He'll definitely take some of the blame for sure.
Pricey free agent signings going kaput
Then there are the high‑priced veterans that never delivered... another issue Bowen had to manage.
It's not every offseason a franchise spends $117 million on high-priced free agents, but when they do, they typically expect them to perform up to their contracts. That has not been the case with NY's top-three priciest pieces acquired last offseason:
- CB Paulson Adebo - three years, $54 million
- SAF Jevón Holland - three years, $45 million
- LB Chauncey Golston - three years, $18 million
Not one of those players is playing in the top 60 at their position, according to PFF. No matter how you slice it, that's a disappointment. Sure, Bowen's scheme was flawed, but having none of these guys pan out to be even above average is a nightmare that'll haunt the former DC's dreams.