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Todd Monken speaks to the media after being introduced as head coach of the Cleveland Browns during a press conference.
With Jim Schwartz stepping away from the Cleveland Browns, head coach Todd Monken is requesting to interview New York Giants outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen for their vacant defensive coordinator position.
It’s the second known defensive coordinator interview request for Bullen, with the Arizona Cardinals also having interest in him joining first-time head coach Mike LeFleur’s staff.
Bullen was the interim defensive coordinator for Big Blue this past season, when interim head coach Mike Kafka fired Shane Bowen in late November.
Now, he’s getting looks to be a full-time defensive coordinator, and it could be in Cleveland, coaching reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
Charlie Bullen Improved the Giants Defense
The New York Giants were one of the NFL’s worst defensive units this past season. They finished 25th-last in Sumer Sports’ EPA/play, and were ranked dead last against the run.
Throughout the season, they gave up an average of 25.8 points per game, but in the backend of the season, when Bullen was calling the shots, he was able to hold New York’s opponents to 18 points per game.
As the outside linebackers coach, he can be credited with Brian Burns’ 16.5 sack season, a career-high for the seven-year veteran.
Bullen also helped develop former No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter, who didn’t stuff the stat sheet but was a productive edge rusher who generated 12 pressures throughout his up-and-down rookie season, good for 15th most among qualified pass rushers.
Bullen’s players clearly had an affinity for him.
“I like Chuck. I feel like…he inspires us. I can just speak for myself there. He doesn’t call guys out. He calls guys up,” Carter told reporters at the end of the season about Bullen.
When asked what he hopes the Giants look for in a defensive coordinator, Abdul Carter shows support for current D.C. Charlie Bullen:
“I like Chuck… He inspires us. When he holds guys accountable, he doesn’t call guys out, he calls guys up… If I had to pick a defensive
“The way he coached, the way the things have changed with our defense these last six weeks, I feel like it was a positive. So, if I had to pick a defensive coordinator, I would say Chuck.”
Bullen was one of the few coaches retained by Harbaugh from the Giants’ previous staff, including wide receivers coach Chad Hall and tight ends coach Tim Kelly.
It’ll certainly be a loss for New York if Bullen lands one of these defensive coordinator jobs.
Which DC Job Should Bullen Want More?
New York Giants fans would obviously prefer to keep Bullen on as the outside linebackers coach, but if a defensive coordinator job does open up to him, he should take it, no questions asked.
Between the Arizona Cardinals and the Cleveland Browns, the Browns’ gig is objectively the more attractive one.
Arizona was the 26th-ranked defense in 2025 according to Sumer Sports’ EPA/play, one spot below the Giants’ own poor unit. Bullen would have that operation from the ground up.
The Browns, on the other hand, despite a horrendous offensive operation in 2025, had one of the best defenses in all of football, finishing fifth in EPA/play.
Not to mention, Bullen would have the opportunity to coach the league’s best defensive player in Garrett.
Cleveland is likely going to have little trouble filling their vacant defensive coordinator spot, but if the opportunity is available to Bullen, he should absolutely jump on it.
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