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LA Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula
The New York Giants will be searching for a head coach this season, one who will maximize the talent on the roster and help accelerate the rebuild, which feels like it is stuck in neutral, maybe even park.
Even more concerning than the offense is the output on the other side of the ball, with the Giants’ defense ranking 30th in points per game and yards per game allowed for the second straight year.
Here is why rising star and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula could be the perfect hire to fix this defense and turn this team around for good.
Shula Has Rams’ Defense Playing at an Elite Level
Last season, Los Angeles defeated a 14-3 Vikings team in the Wild Card Round and nearly pulled an upset of the second-seeded Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, falling 28-22 in the end.
This year, the Rams are tied for first with the Bears for first in the NFC with a 9-3 record and currently hold the second seed, having moved ahead of Philadelphia due to their Black Friday loss to Chicago.
A lot of that has to the state of the Rams’ defense, which is playing at an elite level despite not having as many resources as other top teams. Los Angeles is allowing just 17.5 points per game, which is the second-lowest rank in the NFL.
Since Raheem Morris took over the Falcons‘ head coaching job, the LA defense has improved significantly. Although they allowed 31 points in a surprising loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Rams have kept high-powered offenses, including the Seahawks and Buccaneers, in check.
Seattle fell 21-19, while Tampa Bay was held to just seven points, with the Rams cruising to a 34-7 victory over a division-leading team. Los Angeles’ defense is becoming one that is feared around the league, and the bulk of the credit goes to Shula.
Shula Could Follow Sean McVay’s Footsteps (And Success)
Sean McVay was a rising star who became the youngest head coach in the modern era when he was hired by the Rams in 2017. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in his first season and won the Super Bowl with Los Angeles in 2021, and with Shula working under him, there is reason to believe that he could be the next hot commodity in the league.
McVay spoke about Shula’s success recently, as well as his rapport with the defensive coordinator, expressing how connected the two are and how Shula has a great feel for the game.
“I think what’s really cool is he’s had a chance to coach on all three levels. He and I are so connected in regard to how we see the game and how we believe the game should be played, from an offensive, a defensive and really just a holistic perspective,” McVay said of Shula.
Shula has been on McVay’s staff in a variety of roles for nine seasons, serving as the Rams’ defensive coordinator for the last couple of years. By all accounts, he could be the coach to bring the best out of the Giants‘ talented defense.
With a defensive line featuring the likes of Abdul Carter, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence, and a secondary including the acquistions of Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo, the Giants are vastly underperforming their talent level both in the pass and run.
What has been particularly disappointing is that the run defense has been so poor, as Shane Bowen’s run-heavy scheme has neutralized several pass rushers while still yielding the worst run defense in the league.
Shula’s ability to scheme up pressures and disguise coverages should help the Giants fix all of that. While there are questions on how he will do leading the other two units, one thing is clear: his ability to help players play to their strengths will serve the entire team well.
Arnav Sarkar Arnav Sarkar is a sportswriter and reporter covering the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles for Heavy Sports. A proud graduate of Rutgers University, he also currently writes for On The Banks, where he covers everything Scarlet Knights sports, with a main focus on football and basketball analysis. More about Arnav Sarkar
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