Giants reportedly fire defensive coordinator Shane Bowen after giving up 34 points in loss to Lions
After giving up at least 24 points in each of their past six games, the New York Giants are reportedly moving on without defensive coordinator Shane Bowen. The team fired Bowen on Monday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The move comes a day after the Giants allowed 34 points in an overtime loss to the Detroit Lions. Despite 366 passing yards and three combined scores from quarterback Jameis Winston, the Giants eventually fell to the Lions due to New York's defense being unable to contain Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The 23-year-old Gibbs ran for 219 yards on just 15 carries. He scored two touchdowns heading into overtime before taking his first overtime carry 69 yards for his third score of the game. The Giants couldn't muster a response, falling 34-27. The loss dropped New York to 2-10 on the season.
The loss also marked the fifth time this season the Giants allowed their opponent to score at least 33 points. It also marked the third straight game in which the Giants' defense allowed a fourth-quarter comeback.
After leading 20-10 after the third quarter in Week 10, the Giants allowed the Chicago Bears to score two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a comeback win. The next week, New York allowed the Green Bay Packers to score a game-winning touchdown with four minutes to play. The Giants led by a point prior to that score. And in Week 12, the Giants led by 10 points in the fourth quarter before allowing the Lions to score a touchdown and kick a field goal to send the game into overtime, where they won thanks to Gibbs' run.
Bowen, 38, was originally named the team's defensive coordinator ahead of the 2024 NFL season. The Giants ranked 21st in points against during his first season at the helm, allowing 24.4 points per game. Those numbers regressed in 2025. Through 12 games, the Giants rank 30th in points allowed, giving up 27.8 points per game.
Bowen was hired by former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who was fired by the team after Week 10. With Daboll gone, Mike Kafka was hired as the team's interim head coach. Firing Bowen was Kafka's first major move in his new role.
Giants linebackers coach Charlie Bullen is expected to serve as the team's interim defensive coordinator the rest of the way, per NFL Network.
Prior to joining the Giants, Bowen served as a defensive assistant with the Houston Texans and the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.