The New York Giants are installing a new defensive scheme this offseason with Shane Bowen taking over as the next defensive coordinator following the tumultuous departure of Wink Martindale. This offseason, general manager Joe Schoen has poured assets into the defense’s front seven, giving Bowen plenty of talent to work with upfront.
A few big-named stars stand out in the Giants’ defense, but it’s the depth that the unit possesses in the front seven that could make Bowen’s group so special this season. Linebacker Isaiah Simmons is one of those talented players who, while listed as a backup, could be featured in an expanded role in Bowen’s new defensive scheme.
Shane Bowen is planning on utilizing Isaiah Simmons in a versatile role
During the Giants’ “Night With Legends” event on Thursday night, a clip from their upcoming Hard Knocks series was previewed for those in attendance. According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, the preview showed Bowen discussing his role for Simmons this season, saying that the plan will be to use him as first and second down nickel and in a third down position new DC Shane Bowen called “money.”
The Giants re-signed Simmons earlier this offseason on a one-year contract following a solid first season in New York. Bowen seems to have big plans for the versatile 25-year-old this season and could make him a featured player in the new defensive system.
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The Giants got a steal in Simmons
The Giants acquired Simmons in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals last offseason, sending just a 2024 seventh-round draft choice to bring in the versatile linebacker. Simmons, a first-round pick in 2020, failed to live up to expectations in Arizona. However, in a less complex, more defined role with the Giants last season, Simmons proved to be a solid player.
Simmons featured in all 17 games for Big Blue last season, totaling 50 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, three pass defenses, and one interception — which he took 54 yards to the house.
The Giants lined Simmons up all over the field last season. He spent the majority of his 378 defensive snaps in coverage (203), primarily playing as Big Blue’s coverage linebacker on passing downs. While 166 of his snaps came inside the box (as an inside linebacker), he also lined up as an outside linebacker for 137 snaps and as a nickel cornerback for 65 snaps.
This season, Simmons will likely be utilized in a similar, but more expansive role under Bowen’s tutelage. He will likely play more in the nickel and less in the box as the Giants plan to get creative and utilize the full scope of Simmons’s versatility in their defense this season.