INDIANAPOLIS — Two starting safeties, Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker, signed second contracts to remain in Tennessee when Shane Bowen served as the Titans’ defensive assistant and later directed the entire defense.
Byard cashed in on a five-year deal worth $70.5 million, while Hooker remained on a three-year deal worth $33 million.
Bowen is the new Giants defensive coordinator. It’s clear that he values the position.
“The safeties are going to be a key part of his defense,” general manager Joe Schon said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.
That could be good news for Xavier McKinney, whose rookie contract is up after four years with the Giants.
McKinney, a 2020 second-round pick, will be in line for big money. He’s not shy about expressing his opinion that he’s the best safety in the league.
The Giants won’t pay him as if that were the case, but they realize he will be a hot commodity on the open market. If he gets there, he won’t come lightly.
“Xavier is another player we would like to have back,” Schoen said. “He’s 24 years old, he’s a captain, he played 100 percent every snap.” [in 2023]. We’re thinking a lot about X and looking forward to the negotiation period here later this week. ”
McKinney’s new agent, David Mulugeta, will be in town on Friday, and the Giants are scheduled to meet with him at that time.
Daniel Jones is rehabbing from ACL knee surgery and is “progressing well,” according to Shane.
Jones has started throwing from a stationary position and could be allowed to participate in 7-on-7 and individual passing practice as early as the spring.
“He didn’t have any setbacks,” Schoen said. “If we continue at that pace, we should be in time for the start of training camp.”
Schoen said he plans to meet with Tyrod Taylor’s agent this week, as the Giants have not closed the door on re-signing the 34-year-old quarterback for a third season.
“Tyrod is a true professional,” Shane said. “He’s done a really great job not only for Daniel, but for Tommy DeVito and his progression throughout the year. We’ll explain the position. You can do that through free agency, you can do that in the draft as well. It doesn’t prevent you from doing it.”
In the wake of the scandal surrounding the firing of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, much attention has been focused on coach Brian Daboll’s handling of his staff.
Martindale, now back in college at Michigan, didn’t understand the way Daboll would explode on the sideline or scold his assistants and players when things weren’t going well.
Does the dowel need to be lighter?
“I think we all learn and grow over time, and we all have to,” Shane said. “This is the first time we’ve experienced adversity. I’m sure there’s a lot we all have learned as leaders, myself included, by going through it. How to deal with such situations. I think we all have to get better in that regard and I think we’re all going to reflect on how this offseason went and what we can improve on. Daves would fall into that category. Good.”
